Parashat Emor

Say to the Kohanim… and tell them. (21:1)

It seems that the Torah is twice instructing Moshe Rabbeinu to speak to the Kohanim. Chazal explain this to imply that the Kohanim were to convey this teaching to others who would otherwise not be included in this command; the young children. The adults are not permitted to cause their children to become tamei, from exposure to the dead. This teaching needs an explanation. The pasuk implies that the adults were commanded twice. There is no mention, however, of any communication to the children. From where do Chazal derive that this is a message for adults concerning their children?

Horav Moshe Shapiro, explains that the way to influence the children is by strengthening the resolve and commitment of the adults. A direct warning to the children will not be as effective as one that the parents teach by example.

Unfortunately, we see so many children leave the road of mitzvot because the parents weren’t upholding the standards put forth by the Jewish schools they were sent to. Chazal teach us that the way a child speaks in the marketplace is the way his parents speak at home.

Being a model isn’t easy. Our children see us at all hours of the day under all types of circumstances. We must set aside time to develop out character through learning from our great sages.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Dovid Cohen

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