Page 548 - VAIKRA

“The Kohen who is exalted above his brethren
… shall not come near any dead person; he
shall not contaminate himself to his father or
mother”
(Vayikra 21:10-11)

Chazal say that ever since the Torah was given on Har Sinai, hatred
descended to the world. This is why Har Sinai is called by this name, since
it is a derivative of the word (hatred). Why do the nations hate us?

“The Kohen who is exalted above his brethren On the contrary, they should honor Bnei Yisrael for sustaining the world
– upon whose head the anointment oil has been by learning Torah. Had Bnei Yisrael not accepted the Torah, the nations
poured or who has been inaugurated to don the would have lost their right to exist. Therefore, they should be grateful to
Am Yisrael.
vestments – shall not leave his head unshorn
and shall not rend his garments. He shall not Their hatred has no rational explanation. We are compelled to conclude

come near any dead person; he shall not that it is a decree from Heaven, which serves to prevent Bnei Yisrael from
contaminate himself to his father or mother” assimilating.
(Vayikra 21:10-11) The Torah commands a Jew to eat kosher food and forbids yayin nesech,
in order to distance the Jew from the gentile. In this way, he will not
assimilate. # 26347-EYAL-6

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