Spiritual Gems from the parsha

None of them shall defile himself, among his people (b'amav) (Lev. 21:1)

The Hebrew word "amav" is related to the word "im'um," dimming or growing dark, as in dying embers or coals that have been left to burn out on their own. Serving G-d "dimly," half-heartedly and without fervour, is the cause of all defilement and impurity. The Torah warns us against allowing our G-dly spark to grow dim. Rather, it must be constantly nurtured and rekindled.

(The Rebbe of Alexander)

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But the seventh day is the Shabbat of rest, a holy convocation (Lev.
23:3)

According to the Midrash, the Torah was worried about being neglected once the Jews entered the Land of Israel. "Master of the Universe!" it cried. "What is going to happen to me? Everyone will be busy sowing and planting..." G-d, however, assuaged its fears. "I am giving you a special partner," He said, "and that is the Shabbat, when the Jews are free from work. On that day they will gather in the synagogues and study halls to engage in study."

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And you shall count unto yourselves from the morrow after the day of rest (Lev. 23:15)

In our times the counting of the omer is a Rabbinic decree, as without a physical Holy Temple in Jerusalem we obviously cannot bring the omer offering. That is why we conclude our counting with the words "May the Merciful One restore the Holy Temple to its place, speedily in our day":
When Moshiach comes and the Temple is rebuilt, the omer offering will be reinstated.

(Yalkut Yitzchak)

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And when you reap the harvest of your land... to the poor and to the stranger shall you leave them [the corners of the field] (Lev. 23:22)

"Why is this verse suddenly inserted into a section of the Torah that deals with festivals?" asks the commentator Rashi. After a person has given charity to the poor for Passover and made the announcement, "All who are hungry may come and eat" at the seder table, he may think that he has sufficiently fulfilled the mitzva of charity. The Torah reminds us that charity is a mitzva that applies throughout the year.

(Likrat Shabbat)