Miller's Musings Parshas Emor: A Risky Inheritance

בס''ד

                        
If something is worth saying once, it is worth saying again.  That being said, in the case of Moshe’s mandate to the sons of Aharon, with regard to the laws of priesthood, there was seemingly only one time at this point that it was given over.  Why then does Hashem command Moshe to “Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and you shall say to them”?  Wherein lies the need for a repetition of the decree to “say” it to them?

The righteous of this world fall into two categories, as laid out by the Noam Elimelech.  One group comprises of those born into a family of saintly individuals and who inherit much of their elevated status from the atmosphere and upbringing of such a home.  The second consists of those from humble spiritual beginnings who raise themselves to the heights of purity through their own efforts and striving.  The advantage of the second group, is that due to a lack of familial support, they are ever conscious of a need to be resolute in maintaining their level, with nothing and no one else to rely on but their own resolve.  Those whose piety is to an extent a product of their nurture, can become complacent about the level at which they live, and can more easily fall if they are not conscious of this danger.  The sons of Aharon fell into the first category and therefore required not only to be told what their responsibilities were as Kohanim (the first ‘saying’), but also necessitated a warning of the risk of complacency inherent in being the sons of such noble ancestry.  This was the second ‘saying’ that Moshe was compelled to issue to try to safeguard them from this vulnerability that they possessed.

Whatever our background and whatever our lineage, we are sure to have inherited some positive traits from our parents.  Whether it be a high level of religious practice or innate principles of honesty and integrity, these may be no more due to our own choices than our physical appearance or intellectual aptitude.  The important point here however is to realise what these are and to be alert to the possibility of them falling by the wayside if we do not ensure that they become truly ours by making conscious choices about continuing their practice.  If we are not choosing to do that which is right, because we in our heart of hearts truly believe in its goodness, then we are always open to spiritual decline.  But if we make the choice to continue down this path because we know it is one of truth and virtue, the foundations will be built for a structure of unfaltering strength that can never be torn down.

 

*May the power of Shabbos help create the fortitude in us*

 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

לרפואה שלימה:  שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר