May 17, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Emor - "Say, Speak!"

In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Emor - "Say, Speak!"

• Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23

• Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

• Brit Chadashah (New Testament): 1 Peter 2:4-10

Before you read this wonderful Bible study about this special Torah Portion Emor message for this SHABBAT, please HELP us continue to make a positive impact, partner with us in this vision!

How You Can Make a Difference:

1.  Pray for Our Mission: We need your prayers as we move forward with this important ministry. Pray for favor, resources, and divine guidance.

2. PARTNER WITH US - YOUR DONATIONS ARE ALL TAX EXEMPT IN THE UNITED STATES: 

3. We have so many projects and we need your help, for the glory of Adonai! Please DONATE to help keep us going.

4. All of the ministry funds to Restore Israel is for ministerial, educational and charitable purposes. Restore Israel is recognized as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the United States.

5. Your financial support is crucial to making this vision a reality. Whether you give a one-time gift or set up monthly support, every contribution is an investment into the Kingdom of God as we work in producing MUSIC, MEDIA, MERCY MISSIONS, etc...

6. SHARE the Vision: Help spread the word. SHARE this newsletter with friends, family, and others who might feel called to support this mission!

   
   

PARTNER WITH US

---

Parashat Emor - "Say, Speak!"

Parashat Emor opens with the commandment to Moses: "Emor el-haKohenim benei Aharon", "say to the priests, the sons of Aaron..." and then lists certain commandments regarding service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), including restrictions about touching corpses, prohibitions regarding the customs of the pagan nations, and rules concerning the marriage of a kohen (priest).

The function of these commandments are twofold: to promote holiness and to keep from profaning the Name of ADONAI.

The parashah begins:

 "And the LORD said unto Moses,

'Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people'" Leviticus 21:1

Where did the Kohanim (plural for Kohen) and the Levites come from?

Jacob, of course, had 12 sons, who became the founder of the twelve tribes (shevatim) of Israel. One of his sons, whose name was Levi, had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16-26). These three sons became heads of the clans of the Levites.

However, God exclusively chose Levi's great grandson Aaron and his descendants from among all the Levites to be His priests (Num. 17:1 10).

In other words, there are three "classes" within the structure of Jewish society:

1) The Kohen (Plural: Kohanim)

2) The Levi

3) The Israelite

Only the Kohanim are physical descendants of Aaron and assigned the priestly duties of offering korbanot (sacrifices). The other descendants of Levi were assigned roles to assist in the maintenance of the mishkan (tabernacle), such as carrying various vessels, assembling it when the LORD moved the camp, and so on.

But only the Kohanim were allowed to perform avodah (priestly service) on behalf of Israel.

The Kohanim, then, are a subset of the Tribe of Levi. Thus, while every Levite is an Israelite (a descendant of Israel), not every Levite (descendant of Levi) is a Kohen (descendant of Aaron):

Why were they chosen? 

In a word: LOYALTY. They were loyal to the LORD God of Israel! The tribe of Levi was chosen to serve in the mishkan (tabernacle) on account of their loyalty and zeal to the LORD during times of national peril.

For example, they refused to contribute gold or partake in the sin of the Golden Calf, during the incident. They stood with Moses against idolatry (Exodus 32:26-29) and were so zealous for the LORD that they slew 3,000 of the instigators of the rebellion!

Initially, God consecrated the firstborn sons of the Israelites, but later He designated the tribe of Levi to serve in His service, replacing the firstborns (Numbers 3:11-13). Their selection was a reward for their dedication and commitment to ADONAI's honor.

Since the kohanim were set apart for direct service to the LORD, additional restrictions applied to them that did not apply to the rest of the clan of Levi (or to the Israelites in general).

For example, they may not touch a dead body or they would be considered unclean for service at the tabernacle. The only exceptions were for a kohen's seven closest relatives: his wife, mother or father, son or daughter, and brother or (unmarried) sister.

However, if a kohen buries any of these, he would be considered unclean and unable to serve in the tabernacle until he was ceremonially purified by water mixed with ashes from a red heifer. A kohen Gadol (High Priest) may not even bury his closest relatives!

In addition, a kohen may not marry a woman who has been divorced or is a widow (a son born to such, is unfit for service as a priest), and he must be physically free of any defect.

The kohanim were supported by the sacrifices of offerings, tithes and contributions from the Israelite people. A Jewish farmer who harvest grains must give part of it to the priests, just as a Jewish rancher was to give a portion of his cattle.

Every kohen and his family could eat the offerings, if they were pure, but if they were unclean, they had to undergo ceremonially cleansing first.

Appointed times of the LORD:

The second part of the parashah lists the eight main Mo'edim - the Appointed

 Times of the Jewish calendar.

These "set apart" times are also referred to as mikra'ei kodesh, "times in which holiness is proclaimed" (Leviticus 23:2).

These are called Yamim Tovim (the Jewish holidays). Although there are some others

 mentioned in Torah (like Rosh Chodesh), this portion lists the following "appointments"

 with the LORD:

1. The Shabbat - weekly observance of Shabbat.

2. Pesach (Nisan 14), also called "Passover."

3. Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-22); note that "Counting of the Omer" is first mentioned in this section of Torah (Lev. 23:9-16).

4. Firstfruits (Nisan 16).

 5. Shavuot (Sivan 6), also called "Pentecost" or "Weeks."

 6. Yom Teru'ah (Tishri 1), also called "Rosh Hashanah" (note that this is the first time

 this is revealed in Torah).

 7. Yom Kippur (Tishri 10) also called the "Day of Atonement."

 8. Sukkot (Tishri 15-22) also called "Tabernacles" or "Booths" (note that this is the

 first time the mitzvah to dwell in sukkas (booths).

Since there are at least 50 weekly Sabbaths in a Jewish year in addition to the seven prescribed holidays (not to mention Rosh Chodesh and the other holidays such as Purim, Chanukah, Israel Independence Day, etc...), it is no wonder that the Scriptures declare:

"A person with a cheerful heart has a continual celebration" Proverbs 15:15

The Mo'edim - the Appointed Times ( are times to cheerfully give thanks to the LORD for all He has done... The LORD gave us His calendar so we can "Rejoice in the Lord always..." Philippians 4:4.

In some respects the fall holidays "mirror" the spring holidays on the divine calendar, and indeed, both sides of the calendar represent different aspects of God's redemptive plan for the world;

The spring holidays represent the first advent of Yeshua (Yeshua as a Suffering Servant, Lamb of God, Messiah ben Yosef), whereas the fall holidays represent His second advent (Yeshua as Conquering Lord, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Messiah ben David!).

Throughout the Tanach (Old Covenant), God establishes covenants with His people, each serving as a step in His redemptive plan.

The covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17) reaffirms God's commitment to creation. The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) promises that through Abraham's offspring, all nations will be blessed, pointing to the coming Messiah.

The Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19-24) provides the Law, revealing humanity's need for a Savior due to the inability to uphold God's standards.

The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promises a king from David's line, establishing the hope of an eternal kingdom.

And when we repent and accept Yeshua into our lives, we enter into covenant with Him, where we are promised not only eternal life, but we become part of the Kohanim ourselves! Yes, we become part of the royal priesthood, because we have been set apart unto holiness for Him:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

"5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Yeshua Messiah. 9But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, a make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Messiah Yeshua."

2 Peter 1:5-11

Now is the perfect opportunity to sing praises to the Lamb, with Elihana's brand new song she recently released: "WORTHY IS THE LAMB" [RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM]

WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN

To receive GLORY, HONOR, POWER, and STRENGTH!

Forever and ever! 🔥

Let this song awaken worship in your hear, to give thanks to the KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS for all He has done in our lives!

Let the Lamb of God BE GLORIFIED!

RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM (Worthy is the Lamb of YAH)!