Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

Download print

Parashat Emor: Shabbat as “Mikra Kodesh”

Parashat Emor includes a large section devoted to the laws of the Yamim Tovim, the holidays that we must observe over the course of the year. This section begins with the Misva of Shabbat, the first and most frequent "holiday" that we observe. The Torah here (23:3) refers to Shabbat as "Mikra Kodesh," a period which is "called" or declared a sacred occasion.

The term "Mikra Kodesh" may also refer to another aspect of Shabbat, namely, that it is a time when all our "Mikra" – reading – should be "Kodesh," sacred and sublime. On Shabbat, we are absolved of many of the responsibilities that we bear throughout the workweek, and thus we have more time available to dedicate to prayer and Torah study. The term "Mikra Kodesh" instructs that we should use this opportunity for reading sacred books, works of Torah literature, and not on wasteful, leisurely material. Thank G-d, we live in a time when there is a wealth of quality Torah literature on a variety of Torah topics, in different languages, and for all levels. In today’s day and age, there is no justification to spend the free time we are given on Shabbat reading materials other than Torah literature. With so many excellent resources available for people of all ages and backgrounds, we can all find worthwhile and valuable Torah material to learn so we make the most of the unique opportunity that Shabbat gives us.

The Torah’s discussion of Shabbat here in Parashat Emor ends by emphasizing, "Shabbat Hi Le’Hashem Be’chol Moshebotechem" – "It is a Sabbath to G-d in all your residences." The question arises, why must we be told that Shabbat is to be observed "in all your residences"? Would we have thought that the Misva of Shabbat applies only in some areas but not others?

The Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) explained that the Torah here reminds us to observe Shabbat as a sacred day, and a time for spiritual engagement, not only in the synagogue, but also in our homes. The special sanctity of Shabbat is to be expressed not just through the prayers and classes held in the synagogue on Shabbat, but also "in all your residences" – in our homes. We must use all of Shabbat, and not only the time spent in the synagogue, as an opportunity to grow in spirituality and holiness, and this requires us to take advantage of our free time on this day for "Mikra Kodesh" – reading and studying sacred and uplifting Torah works, through which we will elevate ourselves each week to ever higher levels of Kedusha.


Related Parasha
Parashat Emor- Keter Shem Tob 'The Crown of Good Reputation' - 2023 Year
Parashat Emor- Turning Ourselves Into Sapphire - 2022 Year
Lag BaOmer: Profit Sharing - 2021 Year
Lag Baomer- Reinforcing Our Bitahon - 2020 Year
Parashat Emor: Preparing for Matan Torah - 2019 Year
Parashat Emor- Man and Beast - 2018 Year
Parashat Emor: Kiddush Hashem and Hilul Hashem - 2016 Year
Parashat Emor: The Sanctity of Shabbat - 2015 Year
Parashat Emor- Seeking Guidance - 2014 Year
Parashat Emor: The Trickle Down Effect - 2013 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Emor / Lag BaOmer - 2012 Year
Acquiring Torah - 2012 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Emor - 2011 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Emor - 2011 Year
Parashat Emor- A Lesson in Parenting - 2011 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Emor / Lag BaOmer - 2010 Year
Sefer/Parasha:
Parashat Balak: The Story of Bilam as a Lesson in Emuna
Parashat Hukat: Avoiding Conflict – the Ultimate Good
Parashat Korah: Elevating Ourselves
Parashat Shelah- The Spiritual Mission of Yehoshua’s Spies
Parashat Behaalotecha: Remaining Loyal to Tradition
Parashat Naso: Learning From Our Forebears
Shabuot: Completing Our Celebration of the Exodus
Parashat Behukotai: Living Without Worry
Parashat Behar: Unquestioning Compliance
Parashat Emor- Turning Ourselves Into Sapphire
Kedoshim- The Reward for Honoring Parents
Parashat Ahareh Mot- Feeling Hashem’s Presence
Shevi'i Shel Pesah- Achieving True Freedom
Pesah: Remembering the Root Cause of the Egyptian Exile
Shabbat HaGadol: The Power of Mesirut Nefesh
1002 Parashot found