The name of this week's Torah reading, Emor

The name of this week's Torah reading, Emor, contains a lesson for every Jew. "Emor - Say" the Torah commands every Jew. The power of speech entails a certain responsibility we must always be aware of every time we open our mouths.
The Midrash explains that all of G-d's utterances are "pure statements." Whatever G-d says comes into being, unlike the statements of a fleshly king, who may promise the world but not necessarily fulfill his pledge. G-d is the essence of truth, and His utterances endure forever.

As every Jew is intimately connected to G-d, his statements share this same quality of endurance. Every Jew must therefore be extremely careful when he speaks, and refrain from saying anything negative about his fellow Jew.

The Torah portion of Emor teaches us to speak only positively about other Jews. As Maimonides puts it, "It is a mitzva [commandment] to love each and every Jew...therefore, one must speak [only] of his praise."

Maimonides writes that a Torah scholar "extols the virtue of his fellow and does not denigrate him." Every Jew is similarly obligated to say only kind things about others, and not, G-d forbid, speak evil of his fellow man.

Even if we see a Jew doing something wrong we must always judge him favorably and try to understand what caused him to sin. We must never defame his character or mention his transgression.

Just as G-d's utterances are "pure," abiding forever, so too do our positive statements about other Jews exert a lasting and powerful influence. The very act of praising another Jew serves to reveal the innate good that is hidden inside him, and causes him to want to live up to the words of praise.

Emor is read during sefirat ha'omer, the counting of the omer. These days are a period of mourning for the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva who passed away because they did not treat each other with the proper respect.

Counting the omer reminds us to stop speaking about other Jews in an unfavorable light. Similarly, Emor reminds us to speak favorably about our fellow Jews.

"Emor!" the Torah enjoins us. Say only good about another person!


Adapted from Likutei Sichot, Volume 27