I couldn’t help it, I had to sing: “When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s Emor…”
This parashah continues with the laws of the Kohanim, the laws pertaining to our Festivals, including the Omer, and finally we read a line that is very resonant for many in Kolot Mayim: “There shall be one law for you, it shall be for the ger (the proselyte) and the native alike, for I am God, your God.”
Not separate laws, not separate jurisdictions. Mishpat echad, one law. Conversion to Judaism is challenging; this isn’t an academic exercise, there isn’t a requisite number of books to read. Judaism is a practice, rituals, and prayers to learn, it is a culture to learn, the nuances of which may seem too difficult, especially for those who don’t marry into Jewish family. There are traditions that vary from family to family, foods that we want to learn to make – and then figure out should those kneidlach be light and fluffy, how big, doorstops, made with soda water, cooked in broth or water, etc. Not an easy task.
Emor teaches us to stand strong. When Jewish geography begins and you feel outside the conversation, jump in and talk about the journeys of your families. Just as B’nei Yisroel were on the journey of their lives, from Mitzrayim to the Land of Israel, so are we all. Emor says we are one and equal, not the same, that regardless of our pasts, we now stand together.
Gratitude: I want to thank Jan Mitchell who so generously ensures we have cake for our Oneg, and for our minyan. A small and generous detail as Jan fits in so much more in her weekly duties. The cake may be Lazy Daisy, Jan is anything but!
And thank you to Anita Colman who wants us to remember soldiers in Israel Defense Forces: You can send a personal message of support to IDF soldiers through Friends of the IDF. Show them you stand with them and appreciate their service-very meaningful to soldiers on the front lines.
Here’s the link: https://www.fidf.org/write-to-a-soldier/
Am Yisroel Chai.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
Emor
May 12, 2025 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
I couldn’t help it, I had to sing: “When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s Emor…”
This parashah continues with the laws of the Kohanim, the laws pertaining to our Festivals, including the Omer, and finally we read a line that is very resonant for many in Kolot Mayim: “There shall be one law for you, it shall be for the ger (the proselyte) and the native alike, for I am God, your God.”
Not separate laws, not separate jurisdictions. Mishpat echad, one law. Conversion to Judaism is challenging; this isn’t an academic exercise, there isn’t a requisite number of books to read. Judaism is a practice, rituals, and prayers to learn, it is a culture to learn, the nuances of which may seem too difficult, especially for those who don’t marry into Jewish family. There are traditions that vary from family to family, foods that we want to learn to make – and then figure out should those kneidlach be light and fluffy, how big, doorstops, made with soda water, cooked in broth or water, etc. Not an easy task.
Emor teaches us to stand strong. When Jewish geography begins and you feel outside the conversation, jump in and talk about the journeys of your families. Just as B’nei Yisroel were on the journey of their lives, from Mitzrayim to the Land of Israel, so are we all. Emor says we are one and equal, not the same, that regardless of our pasts, we now stand together.
Gratitude: I want to thank Jan Mitchell who so generously ensures we have cake for our Oneg, and for our minyan. A small and generous detail as Jan fits in so much more in her weekly duties. The cake may be Lazy Daisy, Jan is anything but!
And thank you to Anita Colman who wants us to remember soldiers in Israel Defense Forces: You can send a personal message of support to IDF soldiers through Friends of the IDF. Show them you stand with them and appreciate their service-very meaningful to soldiers on the front lines.
Here’s the link: https://www.fidf.org/write-to-a-soldier/
Am Yisroel Chai.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn