Emor: Perfect

Much of this week's parsha deals with the disqualification of the blemished. The sacrificial rite requires a flawless Kohen offering an unblemished animal with no deviation from the prescribed  procedure. Most of this perfection is not under human control, it is choosing from the available pool

The contrast between the sacrifices of Cain and Abel may be informative.   The story contrasts the sacrifices: 

Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering וַיָּבֵא קַיִן מִפְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה, מִנְחָה

 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.  וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם-הוּא מִבְּכֹרוֹת צֹאנוֹ, וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן

 Abel offered the best, the most pefect.  Cain burned his rejects, his garbage.   If the criteria for the performance of the Divine service is relaxed, where does it end?  Does it become a way to dispose of rejects? 

It is the gravity of the service that demands the perfection of its parts.   The significant  ritual requires a flawless performance.  This is a high stakes activity.  Performed correctly, it brings expiation.  Errors can be fatal or lead to an early death. 

The sacrifice has an element of public performance. Hitting a wrong note in a concert, tripping in a ballet is not tolerable. It is painful both to the performer and the audience.  Flawless is the talent of the offering. 

The last story of the parsha, the half-breed blasphemer, the son of Shlomith ( the complete, the perfect one) curses with the Holy Name of the Gd of Israel His death sentence devolves from his membership in Israel,There is no exemption for the mixed lineage.  His membership in Israel is perfect enough to subject him to this law, which would not apply to an outsider. 

Only the perfect are fit to slaughter.