Ziv: Parashat Emor

Why did He create the world?

The beginning of this parasha deals with the sanctity and even the physical perfection of the priests who have to present offerings in the desert tabernacle (Leviticus 22). Then the details of the sacrifices are given as they were in Exodus. Finally, we come to the description of the annual feasts - beginning with the Sabbath. But here, this particular day is called a “Sabbath of Sabbaths” (23:3) - an expression that is also used to express the solemnity of Kippur (23:32) the most sacred day of purification of the sins of the previous year. On that day, like on the Sabbath, one abstains from work of labor. Regarding the Sabbath, another detail in the text is important : it is noted that it comes after the labor of the six days. However, the verb “to do” in Hebrew here is passive : work “is done” on the secular days. It is man, who is called the world by the work of his hands (Psalm 128:2), and not the other way around. By placing the Sabbath apart, with the strict prohibition to come into dealings with the world of production, for example by abstaining from using money or fire declares that the finality of man is not is his labor - as important and that is.

The midrash wondered why the world was created - since the divine perfection had no need of the world. It is explained that the Creator “wanted to make for Himself a residence in the lower-parts”, among men, in the midst of His creation. The residence of the desert, where sacrifices are being offered, is therefore the place of meeting in the world of labor, in space. And the Sabbath is a residence built within time - beyond labor. The feasts, called “times of meetings”, give the entire year a structure of holiness. Kippur and Sabbath therefore carry the same name : holy days of meetings.

A commentary has also remarked that the list of feasts and sacrifices is interrupted in order to describe the manner in which harvest should be done: the edge of the fields should be left intact for the poor to be able to come and collect (23:23). Why bring this commandment here? The midrash on Leviticus suggests that whatever is given to the poor, is as if it was offered up as sacrifice on the altar. Sabbath Shalom.