Moshiach in the Parsha

HASHEM - A KOHEN?

Sources: Sanhedrin 39a. Zohar,
Emor 89a quoted in Likutei Sichos 7:153  The beginning of Parshas Emor tells us that a Kohen is not allowed to become tameh by coming close to a dead body. But for a close relative of the Kohen, such as his sister, he is allowed to become tameh. Even more so, he is commanded to become tameh - Loh Yetamoh. The Gemara says that Hashem is compared to a Kohen. We are therefore left with the question -- since we are still tameh is golus, and Hashem is like a Kohen, how will He be allowed to take us out of golus?! But the Zohar explains that Bnei Yisroel are like Hashem's sister. In this way Hashem has no problem taking us out of golus -right away!!  

NO MORE DEATH  

Sources: Tanchuma 3 Hashem said to Moshe, "Say (emor) to the Kohanim and say (v'omarta) to them." Why is the word "say" written twice? Because the law was said one way to the Kohanim before the Geulah has come, and will apply another way after the Geulah has come. A Kohen is not allowed to touch a dead body unless it is a Meis Mitzvah -- a person who died and there is nobody else to bury him. If he finds a Meis Mitzvah he is commanded to bury him. This is the law hinted to by the first "say" (emor). The second "say" (v'omarta) is to tell the Kohanim that the time will come when they will never become tameh for a dead body, because the law of Meis Mitzvah will no longer apply. This is because when the Geulah comes nobody will die any more. This was said by the prophet Yeshayahu (25:8), "Death will be swallowed up forever."  

SUKKAH -- OUR FUTURE PROTECTION  

Sources: Tanchuma 22 Hashem told the Bnei Yisroel, "When I brought you out of Mitzrayim, I surrounded you and protected you with a sukkah of clouds. I therefore told you to build a sukkah every year and live in it for seven days." "But when the Geulah comes," Hashem said, "I will be revealed as King of the entire world. I will then guard over you again with a Sukkah." We will need Hashem's Sukkah for special protection from the extra strong sun which will shine then. This was told by the prophet Yeshayahu (4:6), "There will be a Sukkah during the day as shade from the strong heat." This sunshine will heal all the sick.  

SHOFAR OF MOSHIACH  

Sources: Tosfos, Rosh Hashana 16b. Meam Loez p. 284 In Parshas Emor, we are given the mitzvah of blowing Shofar. We blow the shofar twice on Rosh Hashana - before and within Musaf. This is done in order to confuse the Satan. Why does the Satan become confused? The first time the shofar is blown, the Satan is worried -- maybe Moshiach has finally come and he is hearing the shofar of Moshiach. But when he hears the shofar being blown a second time, he is sure Moshiach has come! He knows that all evil will be destroyed, and therefore he gets all confused and doesn't make any accusations against the Jews. But the Satan is not a fool -- he knows that the Bnei Yisroel have a mitzvah of blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashana. Why should he think Moshiach has come? However, the shofar brings us to do teshuvah, and teshuvah brings the Geulah. After the shofar is blown the first time, the Satan is worried that perhaps our teshuva has brought Moshiach. But by the second time, he is sure that our teshuvah has brought Moshiach!  

KOHANIM AND NEVEILA  

Haftora of Emor - Yechezkel 44:31.
Sources: Menachos 45a The Haftorah of parshas Emor says that in the 3rd Bais HaMikdosh, the Kohanim will not be allowed to eat "neveila" (an animal which was not properly slaughtered) or "treifa" (an animal which died from a sickness). But this posuk is not understood. All Jews are forbidden from eating neveila and treifa, not just Kohanim! Why is there a special posuk to tell us that Kohanim are not allowed to eat neveila and treifa? Rabbi Yochanan says that this question will not be answered until Eliyahu Hanovi comes. When Eliyahu comes, he will explain it to us.  

MOSHIACH AND LULAV  

Sources: Vayikra Rabba 30:16 In this parsha (Emor - 23:40), we are told about the special mitzvah, "And on the first day [of Sukkos] you shall take," the 4 Species (lulav, esrog, hadasim, arovos). Rabbi Berachia says in the name of Rabbi Levi, the word "first" (rishon) hints to Esav, the Bais HaMikdosh and Moshiach. Esav is called the "first," as it says (Bereishis 25:25), "And the first [Esav] was born." The Bais HaMikdosh is also called the "first," as it says (Yirmiyahu 17:12), "The place of our Mikdosh, exalted from the first" [from the beginning]. Moshiach is also called the "first," as it says (Yeshayahu 41:27) "The first who will come to Tzion." All these "firsts" are connected. In reward for doing the mitzvah of lulav, Hashem will punish the children of Esav for keeping us in golus. For this mitzvah, He will also reward us with Moshiach and the Bais HaMikdosh.