Parsha Q&A - Emor « Ohr Somayach

Parshas Emor

For the week ending 15 Iyar 5756; 3 & 4 May 1996

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Parsha Questions

Bonus Question

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Parsha Questions

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Which Kohanim are bound by the laws of Tumah?
In general, a Kohen is forbidden to come into contact with the Tumah of a Mes (corpse) unless the dead person is a close relative. What is the exception to this rule?
Is a person permitted to cut his beard with scissors?
How does one honor a Kohen?
How does the Torah restrict the Kohen Gadol with regard to mourning?
The Torah states in verse 22:3 that one who "approaches holy objects" while in a state of Tumah is penalized with Kares (excision). What does the Torah mean by "approaches"?
What is the smallest piece of a corpse that is able to transmit Tumah?
Who in the household of a Kohen may eat Terumah?
If the daughter of a Kohen marries a "Zar" she may no longer eat Terumah. What is a Zar?
What is the difference between a Neder (vow) and a Nedavah (free-will offering)?
May a person slaughter an animal and its father on the same day?
How does the Torah define "profaning" the Name of Hashem?
How big is an Omer?
On what day do we begin to count the "Omer"?
Why do we begin "counting the Omer" at night?
How does the Omer differ from other Minchah offerings?
The blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is called a "Zichron Teruah" ('sound of remembrance'). For what is it a 'reminder'?
What is unusual about the wood of the Esrog tree?
Who was the father of the blasphemer?
What is the penalty for intentionally wounding one's parent?

Answer Contents	**"These are My appointed festivals. Six days work may be done. The seventh day is a "Shabbos Shabbason"* (day of solemn rest)." (23:2-3)* Why does the Torah interject a statement about Shabbos when it is discussing the Festivals**?

"You shall afflict your souls on the ninth day of the month in the evening" (23:32)
If one eats and drinks on the ninth of Tishrei, the Torah views it as if he has fasted both on the ninth and the tenth of Tishrei. Berachos 8b

Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions | Contents

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

21:1 - All male Kohanim, even those who are disqualified from service in the Beis Hamikdash because of physical defects.
21:1 - A Mes Mitzvah (a person who has no one else to bury him).
21:5 - Yes, the Torah only forbids cutting one's beard with a razor.
21:8 - He is first in all matters of holiness. For example, a Kohen reads from the Torah first, and is usually the one to lead in saying blessings before and after meals.
21:10-12 - He may not allow his hair to grow long, nor attend to his close relatives if they die, nor accompany a funeral procession.
22:3 - Eats.
22:5 - A K'zayis (olive's size).
22:11 - He, his wife, his sons, his unmarried daughters, and his non-Jewish slaves.
22:12 - A non-Kohen.
22:18 - A Neder is an obligation upon a person; a Nedavah is an obligation placed upon an object.
22:28 - Yes. The prohibition is against slaughtering an animal and its mother on the same day.
22:32 - Willfully transgressing His commandments.
23:10 - One tenth of an Eipha.
23:15 - On the 16th of Nissan.
23:15 - The Torah requires counting seven complete weeks. If we begin counting in the daytime, the seven weeks would not be complete.
23:16 - It was made from barley.
23:24 - The "Akeidas (binding of) Yitzchak."
23:40 - It has the same taste as the fruit.
24:10 - The Egyptian killed by Moshe (Shemos 2:12).
24:21 - Death by strangulation.

Question Contents	The six days to which the Torah is referring are the Festival days of Succos, Shemini Atzeres, the first and last days of Pesach, Shavuos, and Rosh Hashanah. On these days Melacha connected with food preparation may be performed. The "seventh" day corresponds to the "Shabbos Shabbason" of Yom Kippur, on which even Melacha connected with food preparation may not be performed. Shem MiShimon, attributed to the Vilna Gaon

Question
Contents

The six days to which the Torah is referring are the Festival days of Succos, Shemini Atzeres, the first and last days of Pesach, Shavuos, and Rosh Hashanah. On these days Melacha connected with food preparation may be performed. The "seventh" day corresponds to the "Shabbos Shabbason" of Yom Kippur, on which even Melacha connected with food preparation may not be performed.
Shem MiShimon, attributed to the Vilna Gaon

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General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
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Parsha Q&A - Emor

Parshas Emor

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