Rabbi Mordecai Miller
rabbi@e-bski.org
(314) 725-6230 
www.e-bski.org


"Say to the Priests..." emor and not daber- "say" and not "speak." What's the difference?
 The former is understood as gentle while the latter has a "harder" connotation. It's possible that Moses had to break the news of the commandments relating to the priests quite gently, because what follows is a series of laws concerning the priests themselves: who they can mourn for - and how, or how not; who they can marry; what physical blemishes can invalidate them from service at the altar, though a priest in this condition is still fully entitled to the priestly portions of sacrifices,    (Lev. 21:22) They also have to be meticulous about issues of purity and impurity if they are to approach the altar...and animals, too, must be in a state of purity and unblemished to be acceptable.

There's a paragraph (22:26-33) concerning new-born animals and the fact that they can't be slaughtered for the first seven days after birth. On the other hand, a person should be careful to consume those parts of offering that are to be eaten on the same day the offering is brought. To do less is to be guilty of desecration.

Our parashah concludes with a chapter (23) devoted to a calendar of the Festivals and another (24) on the subject of the olive oil used for the menorah and the twelve loaves which were placed on the Showbread Table; an incident of blasphemy (an outright cursing of the Holy One); laws of personal injury and the consequent punishment of the person who blasphemed.

There's been a lot going on around the Congregation!

• Mitzvah Day - gave all who participated the chance to bring joy to a large number of people.
• Sarah Sherer-Kohlburn will be graduating Columbia University in New York City. She has been accepted into the University of Missouri Law School. Congratulations to Barbara Sherer and Howard Kohn.
• Lauren Hamvas who has a Masters in Public Health from Boston University will be coming back to St. Louis with her husband Scott Johnson. Lauren will be entering the St. Louis University School of Law while Scott will be working to complete his PhD in the field of Archaeology. We're sure that Lauren's parents Paula and Aaron Hamvas are kvelling!
• Stephen Marcus son of Ginger and Marvin Marcus will be graduating from the Wilson School of the Princeton University with a degree in Diplomacy and Political Studies. Kudos to Marv & Ginger.
• Rachel Pearline daughter of Don and Sharongay Pearline and the late Carol Pearline will be graduating from the Tulane School of Medicine with an MD and the Tulane School of Health and Tropical Medicine with a degree of Masters in Public Health. She will be taking residency at New York University in Manhattan. What a wonderful accomplishment.
• Paul and Jordan Kodner, Ari Ginsparg, David Selis and Susan Low along with Rabbi Allen Selis are in Israel on the Solomon Schechter Day School 8th grade Israel trip. We wish them a well-deserved and thoroughly enjoyable trip
• You may have caught the wonderful article in this week's edition of the St. Louis Jewish Light ably written by our own Wendy Low. Wendy has already shown herself to be very articulate in expressing her opinions on Jewish Values and Living Jewishly.
• Tonight we have our first of what I hope will be a monthly A Cappella Shabbat. Services begin at 7 pm and I hope you'll be able to join us in the beat! A light oneg will follow.
• On Sunday, May 2nd, we are hosting a picnic at Shaw Park for individuals, couples and families (children welcome) between the ages of 25 to 45. We are meeting at the south pavilion for a cook out and games. Food and fixin's provided. There is no charge for participation, however we do ask you to bring a 6-pack of beer or other beverage (no bottles) along with you. Time for the program: 4-7 pm
• Micah Miller will be graduating List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary with a degree in Bible and Columbia University with a degree in History. As you can well imagine, Susan and I are feeling much pride in our son's accomplishments. Micah has been accepted into the Teach for America program this coming fall. His assignment: St. Louis!

As always, may the light of Shabbat enter your home and your heart. 
  
Shabbat Shalom,

                                    Rabbi Mordecai Miller