Parshat Emor
As we have learned from previous haftarah selections taken from the final section of Yechezkel, the navi describes the future Temple service that would be observed during the era of Bayit Shlishi, the Third Temple. This particular haftarah from the 44th chapter connects directly to the Torah reading as it discusses the laws that would be followed by the kohanim serving in the “Messianic” Beit Hamikdash, much as the parsha reviews the laws that would be followed by the kohanim during the time of the earlier Batei Mikdash.
Except for certain stringencies that future kohanim will observe, many of the laws mentioned here by Yechezkel echo the very words of the parsha itself, e.g., they shall not shave their heads nor let their hair grow wild; they shall not marry a widow (prohibited to the kohen gadol) nor a divorcee, but only a maiden from Israel; they shall not approach a corpse—save that of their father, mother, son, daughter, brother or unmarried sister.
Most interestingly, however, is one function of the kohen that is included in the haftarah but is not mentioned in the parsha at all, although it is found elsewhere in the Torah. The navi states: “V’et ami yoru bein kodesh l’chol…” Part of the function of the kohen was to be a teacher, one who would guide the people and pass down the laws and explanations given at Har Sinai. The kohen of Israel could not be compared to the ancient idolatrous priests whose role was limited to a ritual one and were often involved with preparations for death and the afterworld. The function of the kohen in Israel was to be more than a ritualistic one. The kohen would be involved in so many aspects of the people’s lives. They were commanded to take an active role in the nation—a role that would include the prohibition of dealing with death, the responsibility of adjudicating the people’s quarrels and the challenge of educating the future generation.
The navi Malachi put it simply when he stated (2:7): “Ki siftei chohen yishm’ru da’at v’Torah y’vak’shu mipihu, The lips of a kohen must safeguard knowledge and people should seek [Torah] teachings from him”—for one clear reason: “Ki malach Hashem Tzva’kot hu, for he is the agent of Hashem, Master of Legions!”
Our haftarah reminds us that this truth will be carried on during the Messianic era as well.
By Rabbi Neil N. Winkler
Rabbi Neil Winkler is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Fort Lee and now lives in Israel.
