Parashat Emor

Moses faced a challenge this week in Parshat Emor, when he was confronted with the question about what to do with the man who publicly cursed God.  How could Moshe Rabbeinu protect his spiritually young congregation from this sudden existential threat to their growing relationship with God?  Would God, who had just redeemed them from Egypt and shared his precious Torah, become alienated from them and withdraw his divine protection and sustenance?   Fires and plagues could break out, the Shechinah might depart, and the Manna might stop falling!  Moses had the man held, and then he withdrew to ask for guidance from Hashem.  He returned with a plan for radical action (they stoned the blasphemer to death) and even the rebels and scoffers were satisfied with the process and solution.  They learned that maintaining a spiritually whole community and aspiring to become a blessing to God's Holy name was of paramount importance.  The trials in the wilderness tested everyone's faith, but 40 years later, the children of those former slaves crossed the Jordan as a numerous, ably-led, God-fearing Israelite nation.
     We have inherited a valuable tradition that contains within it the keys to ultimate redemption from generations of Jews who dedicated their lives to entrust it into our loving arms; it nourishes our souls.