In this shiur, we will analyze the similarities and differences between the Festival of Matzot and the Festival of Sukkot, as described in this week's parasha, and we will discuss what can be learned from this comparison.
This week's parasha opens with the subject of protecting sanctity and the sanctified things – i.e., sacrificial food. Chapter 21 discusses the sanctity of the kohanim: the prohibition of defiling themselves through contact with a corpse, the categories of women whom they may not marry, the prohibition against a kohen with any physical blemish performing sacrifices.
The order of the parasha of the festivals follows the order of the festivals themselves in the annual calendar. The parasha consists of seven masoretic sections...
The Torah includes a dual description of the festivals, such that they are attributed both historical and natural/religious significance. In this shiur, we will discuss the structure of this unit and the proper understanding of the superimposition of meaning.
