(from Shem Mishmuel Vayikra, Metzora 5673, “V’hizartem . . .,” p. 247)
Preparing for the Festivals
Our parsha discusses the laws of purity and impurity connected with leprosy and bodily discharges. These laws are for practically relevant only for one who wants to enter the Beit Hamikdash (Temple in Jerusalem) or eat sacrifices or Teruma. There is no prohibition of being impure, only of entering the Temple or eating holy things while impure. This is expressed in a verse in this week’s Parsha (Vayikra 15:31): Distance the Children of Israel from impurity, and they should not die because of their impurity through making my Sanctuary that is amongst you impure.” Since the Temple has been destroyed and the sacrificial service temporarily discontinued these laws are not applicable today.
Even in the times of the Temple the laws of purity and impurity were usually only obligatory for the Kohanim. However, before the three Festivals – Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, all of Israel would have to retain purity so they could enter the Temple in Jerusalem and eat of the sacrifices they would offer there. Preparation for the holidays therefore had an extra dimension, distancing one’s self from impurity and undergoing the purification process.
Today, there is a moral and spiritual parallel to the special preparations all Jews would make before the festivals in the times of the Temple. There is a whole dimension of spiritual and moral perfection that is not obligatory all year round and we often perceive as being beyond our levels. However, says the Shem Mishmuel, before the holidays, even today, all Jews must ready themselves for the encounter with the Divine Presence on the festivals. As preparation for the festivals we must purify ourselves from spiritual and moral flaws that might have legitimately been ignored the rest of the year. The encounter with the Divine Presence demands a higher standard of behavior today just as, when it was standing, entry into the Temple demanded a higher level of purity than the rest of the year.
We should all merit to properly prepare for the festivals.
[prepared by Eliezer Kwass]
