Parshat Emor teaches an important lesson about language – that how we speak can have a profound impact on our behavior and influence the world around us.

Emor (literally “speak”) begins: “Speak (emor) to the priests and say to them…” Based on this unusual phrasing for the Torah, Vayikra Rabbah teaches that God’s speech is pure and God is modeling “pure” and responsible speech for us. The parsha continues to emphasize the power of language through the command not to desecrate God’s name and the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem, to sanctify God’s name. 

Against this backdrop, it is all the more shocking to read the story of the “megadef,” the blasphemer, at the end of the parsha. The son of an Egyptian man and Israelite woman has an argument with an Israelite. Out of hatred and rage he then pronounces God’s name and curses God. This sin is so grievous in the eyes of Chazal that it is euphemistically referred to as “birkat Hashem,” blessing God, suggesting that even saying the word blasphemy can have a negative impact. Moreover, the Rambam teaches that one who hears blasphemy must do kriya, a sign of mourning, symbolizing the gravity of this prohibition. One unusual feature of this Torah narrative is that all who heard his blasphemy must place their hand on the megadef’s head before he is executed, the biblical punishment for this crime. The Ha’amek Davar explains that this is to compensate for the effects that hearing such profanity may have had on the listeners. 

These sources take on new significance as hate speech surges against Jews and Israel. As Eli Weisel wrote: “Hate is contagious… Ultimately hate is both destructive and self-destructive.” Yet, there are also voices of clarity and support. May the pure and positive voices drown out the hate. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson