Thursday, May 3, 2018

Parshat Emor - Better Luck Next Time

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Parshat Emor, "Better Luck Next Time" - The Dubner Maggid taught that people are often governed by their wicked nature. That we do not always get things right the first time.  We suffer because of this.  But most people figure out the second time they try it.

This is how the Chasidic Sage explains the opening line of our parshah this week, "The Lord said to Moses, "say to the priests, saying to them..."  Why did God tell Moses to "say" it twice?  

The Dubner Maggid says it is like a person whose doctor says don't eat garlic.  If the person listens, great.  But even the person who doesn't listen and gets sick, at least comes to know why they are sick - they really are allergic, and they also learn to trust their doctor.  

Rashi explains the double saying as God warning the priests to really listen to God and be careful after the earlier deaths of Nadav and Avihu, two of the priest who erred in their offerings and were struck down.  

The Dubner Maggid connects his teaching to that of Rashi's to make his observation about human nature - we do often times need to make a mistake to learn how to do things right, and luckily God seems to understand that about us and has built that into God's plan!

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