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The commandment to sanctify the Kohen implies that an emphasis must be made regarding the prestige of the Kohen and the honor due him. Perhaps, as the Kesav Sofer writes, people were often tempted to show disrespect towards the Kohanim, because the Kohanim were dependent upon other Jews for their livelihood, in the form of the twenty-four priestly tributes.   This tendency to disdain the Kohanim is the reason that the Torah stresses the role of the Kohanim as trustees of the sacrificial service. The nation must be cognizant that this service is the vehicle that attracts Hashem’s blessing over…

This pasuk describes the exalted level of holiness, and in contrast, the descent to the nadir of profanity. Does no “compromise” exist between these two extremes? Indeed, in regard to serving Hashem, there is no middle course. One either sanctifies Hashem’s Name, or is guilty of its desecration. One’s involvement in Hashem’s service is a process of constant ascension; one either fulfills the precept of “they shall be holy“, or by default, falls into the abyss of “and not profane the name of their G-d”. Chazal state that although Hashem forgives man for the sins of idol-worship, murder, and adultery,…