Parashat Emor

Each of the last three books of the Torah (Vayikra, Bamidbar, and Devarim) includes a list of holidays, and each has its own particular focus. In Sefer Bamidbar, for example, Parashat Pinchas lists the special sacrifices for each holiday in considerable detail. Devarim’s calendar is interested in how the holidays will be observed once the Israelites have settled in the Land, with a particular focus on pilgrimage. And the first one, here in Parashat Emor, emphasizes the unique, non-sacrificial elements of how each holiday is to be observed: for example, the shofar is mentioned for Rosh Hashanah, fasting for Yom Kippur, and lulav and etrog on Sukkot.

For all of Sefer Vayikra’s general focus on priestly concerns – in fact, the entire first half of Emor provides mitzvot that only apply to the kohanim (priests) – it’s instructive to note that this chapter includes phrases like “in all your settlements” (23:31, among others). These holidays, the text seems to be emphasizing, are for everyone to enjoy. And by emphasizing the special observances of each celebration, Emor implores us to run with that idea. How can we bring even more uniqueness and beauty to our holidays?

That second word – beauty – is especially relevant, as the Hebrew word הדר (hadar) makes its first appearance of the Tanakh in this parashah, where it refers to a fruit now understood to be the etrog, in the text’s explanation of Sukkot: “וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם לָכֶ֜ם … פְּרִ֨י עֵ֤ץ הָדָר֙” (“You shall take… the fruit of a hadar tree,” 23:40). This word has been variously translated as “goodly,” “majestic,” “beautiful,” “luxuriant,” and other similar terms, and it forms the basis for the term הידור מצוה (hiddur mitzvah), or “the beautification of mitzvot.” 

The concept of hiddur mitzvah has exerted a powerful influence on Jews and how we observe our holidays. Taken practically, this term refers to our efforts to make our mitzvah observances as beautiful as possible, and finds expression in, frankly, almost the entire Judaica industry. Sure, you can cover your challah with a napkin, but it’s much nicer to use a cloth embroidered with fruits or the words of Hamotzi. Any 2-wicked candle works for Havdalah, but the gorgeous purple-and-gold peacock-shaped one I found in Tzfat while chaperoning the Derech l’Lev trip with our eighth graders makes Havdalah more interesting and enjoyable. Any etrog will do for Sukkot, but growers put considerable effort toward producing the largest, most bumpy, and yellow ones they can. 

Hiddur mitzvah has been given an additional dimension of expression by this year’s eighth-grade engineering and design students. As part of the interschool Design Fab Collection program hosted by CIJE, students took on the challenge of reimagining Judaic ritual objects, or even inventing new ones, to enhance the hiddur of observing those mitzvot. Some students are drawing new meaning into Shabbat with original challah board designs; another group is using our Fab Lab’s laser cutter to create a fabric mosaic challah cover, featuring the seven days of creation. One of the most innovative is an entirely new object: seeking to enhance the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests), the students have designed an object intended to be hung at the entrance to a sukkah, to indicate that guests are welcome at any time. Their design is inspired by the shape of a skeleton key, and is intended to have a piece of fruit, such as an apple, placed in the middle of its upper portion – see the attached digital version of their design.

Seeking the most beautiful way to observe a mitzvah enhances our experience of doing so, and helps us look forward eagerly to those moments when we get to use them. Engaging in hiddur mitzvah can bring more depth and joy to our Judaic observances, and it’s inspiring to see our students finding innovative ways to bring it to life. 

Shabbat Shalom!