Emor: Looking Back, Moving Forward

We read in this week’s Haftorah of the prophet Yechezkel’s instructions to the Kohanim in anticipation of their service in the Third Beit HaMikdash. Yechezkel details the type of dress, expected conduct and ritual tasks that the Kohanim will be obligated to perform. His directives repeat the list enumerated in the Torah, but Yechezkel also adds several more obligations. Why? Wouldn’t the existing instructions to the Kohanim be enough? Why did Yechezkel find it necessary to add to the already long and detailed list enumerated in this week’s Parsha?

Yechezkel identified a challenge associated with the resumption of the holy rituals of the rebuilt Beit HaMikdash; rebuilding and restarting is complicated. How much of the past should one include? Should a person look back for inspiration and instruction? On the one hand, looking back is the only reference of actions that will inform practice. Yet, if one only looks back, a person can become trapped in what was and lose out on the opportunity to build and move forward. By adding new directives and instructions, Yechezkel challenged the Kohanim and by extension the Jewish people to find creativity and inspiration in the exciting future of the Third Beit HaMikdash. His message of rebuilding highlights the ability to capture the moment of return and to infuse what was once done with new zeal, renewed joy and hope for future growth and opportunity. As a navi, Yechezkel was uniquely positioned to advocate steadfast adherence to the Torah and yet introduce new obligations without compromising the Torah.

We do not have the advantage of prophets in our times to provide us with new instructions within the confines of the Torah. However, each one of us can infuse our current service of Hashem with renewed enthusiasm and joy. May we find the strength and courage to so in the hope that we will merit to see a rebuilt Third Beit Hamikdash with the Kohanim carrying out their new and old obligations.