Parashah Roundup: Emor 5770

by Steve Brizel

Shevet Kehunah -A Special Role Model with Universal Responsibilities for all Jews

R Berel Wein discusses the relevance of the unique and seemingly elitist role of the Kohanim: link

R Baruch Simon explores the relationship between Kehunah and Temimus: link (audio)

R Yissocher Frand, based on an explanation of R Yaakov Weinberg ZL, explains why Tumaas Kohanim serves as the basis for the Mitzvah of Chinuch of a minor child: link

R Ephraim Buchwald explains why a Kohen must, in the absence of anyone else, bury a Mes Mitzvah: link

R Shlomoh Riskin suggests how to live a life based on Kedusha: link

R Avraham Gordimer discusses Tumaas Kohanim, Mumim and Psulim for Avodah: link

Chillul HaShem

R Herschel Schachter explains why the inappropriate actions of one Jew disgraces the entire Jewish People and Judaism: link

Pesach Sheni

R Michael Rosensweig explores the position of the Rambam with respect to Pesach Sheni: link (audio)

Parshas HaMoados

R Michael Rosensweig explains the relationship between Shabbos and the Moadim: link

R Mordechai Kamenetsky reminds us that despite the fact that the Chachmei HaMesorah have a tremendous power in establishing the Yamim Tovim, we should always remember the Divine Role in each of the Yamim Tovim: link

R Herschel Schachter reminds us that proper observance of Shabbos enhances our Parnassah: link

R Yitzchak Etshalom explores various solutions to the well known dispute between Chazal and the Sadducees with respect to the commencement of Sefiras HaOmer: link

R Sir Jonathan Sacks explores the relationship of Sukkos to the Shalosh Regalim and the Yamim Noraim: link

Mrs. Ilana Goldtsein Saks investigates why Rashi interprets Sukkos as Ananei Kavod, as opposed to Sukkos Mamash: link (audio)

The Mgadef and Bodily Damages

R Mosheh Lichtenstein explains the relationship of the incident of the Mgadef and the Halachos of bodily damages to the rest of the Parsha: link

Shoalim v Dorshim Department

Rav Soloveitchik ZL discusses various aspects of Sefiras HaOmer and the Aseres HaDibros , the relationship between the Parshas HaShavuah and the Haftorah in Sefer Vayikra and Megilas Rus, and the relationship between Yisro and Shavuos: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Dr. Shnayer Leiman explores the strange history of Lag BaOmer: link (audio)

R Larry Rothwachs discusses the Hashkafic and Halachic aspects of Lag BaOmer: link (audio)

R Herschel Schachter explains why it was necessary for HaShem to force the Jewish People to accept the Torah, and in particular, Divrei Sofrim, against their wishes and discuses the history of the Torah She Baal Peh. (Shabbos 88a): link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio), link 4 (audio), link 5 (audio), link 6 (audio), link 7 (audio), link 8 (audio)

R Mordechai Willig explains why Parshas Bamidbar always precedes Shavuos: link

R David Horwitz discusses various aspects of Chag HaShavuos: link (audio)

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, explains how Sefiras HaOmer serves a means for Tikun HaMidos for Matan Torah: link

R Avigdor Nevenzal explains how Sefiras HaOmer enables us to sanctify time: link

Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the inner count of Sefiras HaOmer: link (audio)

Rebbitzen Tziporah Heller discusses understanding our differences: link

R Asher Weiss discusses Meleches Ochel Nefesh: link (audio)

R Nathan Lopes Cardozo explains why Matan Torah was a declaration of war against conventional thinking: link

Pirkei Avos

R Aharon Lichtenstein, R Michael Rosensweig and R Yonasan Sacks discuss various Mishnayos and hashkafic issues in Pirkei Avos: link 1 (audio), link 2