Parsha Inspired Menus - Emor

This parsha is sometimes called Torat Kohanim - Law of the Priests - because of the extensive set of laws given that pertain just to the priests. The priests have a special responsibility among the Jewish people and, as part and parcel of that, comes particular restrictions and requirements. One of the things I noted is the qualifier in the first pasuk of the parsha, "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron." This unique group is passed down through the family line of Aaron. In our modern times, it sometimes feels strange that this categorization is not based on interest or merit, but by birth. Yet, there's something compelling in the responsibility being shared throughout the ages and connecting a priest directly back to the family line of Aaron and Moshe. While I know there

are people who can do the kohanic hand motion who are not kohanim, there is a cool genetic element to see that kohanim all can do it. If you are not familiar with this kohanic hand motion, it was made famous by Leonard Nimoy (not a kohen) who used it for his Vulcan greeting - "Live long and prosper." When I asked our oldest what food I should do for Torat Kohanim he said chicken wings because they look a bit like the "V" of the kohanic hand motion. You can try this baked chicken wings recipe or go classic BBQ on the grill.

Later in the parsha, we get rules for how people interact with one another, including another pretty famous phrase:

וְאִ֕ישׁ כִּֽי־יִתֵּ֥ן מ֖וּם בַּעֲמִית֑וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה כֵּ֖ן יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לּֽוֹ׃

Regarding anyone who maims another person: what was done shall be done in return—

שֶׁ֚בֶר תַּ֣חַת שֶׁ֔בֶר עַ֚יִן תַּ֣חַת עַ֔יִן שֵׁ֖ן תַּ֣חַת שֵׁ֑ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֥ן מוּם֙ בָּֽאָדָ֔ם כֵּ֖ן יִנָּ֥תֶן בּֽוֹ׃

fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The injury inflicted on a human being shall be inflicted in return.

Rashi explains that this is not meant to suggest violence. As he says, "Our Rabbis explained that this does not mean the actual infliction of a blemish but that it means monetary compensation." Interestingly, there's relatively little commentary on this verse, as if everyone agreed with Rashi and didn't have much to add - a case of "yep, that sounds right to me." I think this pasuk gets to the idea that when you are hurt, your instinct may be to hurt the perpetrator right back. Sure, it would be lovely if we could calm ourselves and forgive, but if that's not human nature for most, giving a solution that presents some satisfaction for the injury may help avoid something worse. I recently saw a parenting tip I thought was hysterical - it said that if your kids are arguing, make

them each take off both shoes, and one sock. Give them space and then tell them to wrestle it out until one person gets the other person's sock. That sock-getter is the winner. When done, it usually dissovles into laughter instead of arguing. Now, it might not work for everyone, but it does give a way to resolve the angst without the hurt that might come with it. So, thinking of eyes, we wanted to make potatoes, which have eyes...and wings and potatoes sounds great together - mashed, baked, fried - choose your favorite.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!