Parashat Emor: Calling Shem

We continue sefer Vayikra where shem was absent for the first half, followed by shem appearing sparingly and only in context of the prohibition of profaning G-D’s Name.

This new parasha continues the theme:

קְדֹשִׁ֤ים יִהְיוּ֙ לֵאלֹ֣קיהֶ֔ם וְלֹ֣א יְחַלְּל֔וּ שֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹקיהֶ֑ם כִּי֩ אֶת־אִשֵּׁ֨י יי לֶ֧חֶם אֱלֹהֵיקם הֵ֥ם מַקְרִיבִ֖ם וְהָ֥יוּ קֹֽדֶשׁ׃

They shall be holy to their G-D and not profane the name of their G-D; for they offer HASHEM’s offerings by fire, the food of their G-D, and so must be holy. (Leviticus 21:6)

Next appearance of shem as well:

דַּבֵּ֨ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְאֶל־בָּנָ֗יו וְיִנָּֽזְרוּ֙ מִקׇּדְשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלֹ֥א יְחַלְּל֖וּ אֶת־שֵׁ֣ם קׇדְשִׁ֑י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵ֧ם מַקְדִּשִׁ֛ים לִ֖י אֲנִ֥י יי׃

Instruct Aaron and his sons to be scrupulous about the sacred donations, that they not profane My holy name, that which they are sanctifying for me, I am HASHEM. (Lev. 22:2)

Strange wording in this verse. Seeing variations translations trying to make it flow.

Next appearance of shem as well, same theme:

וְלֹ֤א תְחַלְּלוּ֙ אֶת־שֵׁ֣ם קׇדְשִׁ֔י וְנִ֨קְדַּשְׁתִּ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲנִ֥י יי מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם׃

You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people — I, HASHEM, who sanctify you. (Lev. 22:32)

After all these warnings against profaning HASHEM we encounter the sin itself:

וַ֠יִּקֹּ֠ב בֶּן־הָֽאִשָּׁ֨ה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֤ית אֶת־הַשֵּׁם֙ וַיְקַלֵּ֔ל וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וְשֵׁ֥ם אִמּ֛וֹ שְׁלֹמִ֥ית בַּת־דִּבְרִ֖י לְמַטֵּה־דָֽן׃

The son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name in blasphemy, and he was brought to Moses — and his mother’s name was Shelomith daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan. (Lev. 24:11)

The text continues:

Take the blasphemer/curser outside the camp; and let all who were within hearing lay their hands upon his head, and let the whole community stone him. And to the Israelite people speak thus: Anyone who blasphemes/curses G-D shall bear the guilt. (Lev. 24:14–15)

וְנֹקֵ֤ב שֵׁם יי מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת רָג֥וֹם יִרְגְּמוּ־ב֖וֹ כׇּל־הָעֵדָ֑ה כַּגֵּר֙ כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔ח בְּנׇקְבוֹ־שֵׁ֖ם יוּמָֽת׃

and one who also pronounces the name GOD shall be put to death. The whole community shall stone them; stranger or citizen — having thus pronounced the Name — shall be put to death. (Lev. 24:16)

Interestingly the text doesnt use the word profane חלל that it used in its warnings up until now. Synonym actions are used instead: ויקב / ויקלל

This is the last time shem appears in sefer Vayikra, though two parashiot remain.

Few mentions of shem in this book, all clustered around three parashiot, all warnings against profaning His Name, then culminating in exactly that.