All Jews Can Become Cohen?
Parshat Emor continues the theme of holiness which was introduced in Kedoshim. All Jews are commanded to be holy on the individual and communal level. Our national mission is contained in the injunction to become “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” There are, however, different levels of sanctification. Emor deals with the special laws that pertain to the “sons of Aaron,” the Kohanim who bless the people and perform the service in the Temple. As the spiritual elite of Israel they were required to adhere to a higher level of holiness.