Parshas Emor
Striving For Excellence
By Rabbi Elly Broch
The Kohanim (Priests), because of their idealism and self sacrifice, were
rewarded with the service in the Mishkan (1). With their position came
added responsibility. "They shall be holy to their G-d and they shall not
desecrate the name of their G-d" (Vayikra/Leviticus 21:6)
The contrast within the verse poses a problem. "They shall be holy to their
G-d" implies that if one chooses not to there will be merely an absence of
sanctity. But the conclusion, "and they shall not desecrate the name of
their G-d," suggests that failure to fulfill the ideal of sanctity leads
not only to a vacuum of holiness, but the actual desecration of the Divine
Name.
Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Niman (2) explains that mediocrity is not a
characteristic appropriate for the service of G-d. G-d gave us the ability
and propensity to excel in His service. Thus, the Torah is teaching us that
when one does not attempt to operate at his best, he is desecrating the
Divine. If an individual is not striving to elevate and improve himself,
then he will be automatically descending into complacency and malevolent
behavior.
King Solomon describes in concrete terms the cycle of complacency. "I
passed the field of a lazy man....Behold it was overgrown with thorns, its
surface had been covered with bramble, and its stone wall was broken
down....A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to
recline, then our poverty will come like a traveler." (Mishlei/Proverbs
24:30-34) Viewed through this prism, it is clear that the loss of one who
does not tend to his field is not limited to lack of produce. An
unattended field eventually becomes overgrown to the point that it becomes
a wasteland; it is less desirable and demands more restorative effort the
end of the year than it did at the beginning.
Each of us operates at a different level in Divine service. Moreover, each
has different talents and natures that require cultivation. The Torah's
lesson is that in life there is no such thing as inertia. If one does not
grow, he becomes "overgrown with thorns". But there is great significance
to small, simple advances. Any positive growth, whether it be Torah study
to better understand Judaism, forging a connection with G-d through prayer
or performing acts of kindness motivated by the desire to emulate His
ceaseless kindness, all contribute to the improvement of one's Divine
connection. Everyone at his own level can strive for greater sanctity and
excellence in his relationship with G-d.
Have a Good Shabbos!
(1) Tabernacle; see Shemos/Exodus 32:26
(2) previous Rosh Yeshiva/Dean of Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel in Petach Tikva
Text Copyright © 2005 by Rabbi Elly Broch
and Torah.org.
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