Let’s dive into a fascinating little story from Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah), a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Leviticus.

Rabbi Berekhya, quoting Rabbi Levi, tells a parable. Imagine an Israelite and a Kohen, a priest, both suffering from epilepsy. They seek help from a skilled doctor, but the doctor only gives instructions to the Israelite, seemingly ignoring the priest altogether! Naturally, the priest is perplexed, even a little offended. “Why,” he asks, “do you guide the Israelite and not me?”

The doctor explains, "The Israelite often walks among graves, while you, as a priest, avoid such places." See, Jewish law prohibits priests from coming into contact with the dead (Leviticus 21:1-4), because of ritual impurity. The doctor believes the Israelite is more vulnerable to an evil spirit that can trigger epilepsy because of his proximity to death. The priest, who avoids graves, is less susceptible. So, the doctor's instructions are tailored to the individual's specific vulnerability.

What does this have to do with… well, anything else? This parable serves as a powerful analogy for understanding how God communicates with different beings.

Think about the angels, the “supernal beings.” They dwell in the divine realm, untouched by the yetzer hara – the evil inclination. Because they're inherently good and don't struggle with temptation, a single divine decree is enough for them. As the Book of Daniel (4:14) states, "The matter is by the decree of the messengers, and the verdict by the statement of the holy ones.” One command is all it takes.

But what about us "earthly beings"? We do have the yetzer hara. We wrestle with temptation, make mistakes, and often fall short. Because of this, we need repeated instruction and reinforcement to stay on the right path. We need to hear it again and again. We need the extra guidance.

That's why, as we find in Leviticus 21:1, “The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the priests, sons of Aaron, [and say to them…].” Notice the double instruction: "Speak to... and say to them..." The double imperative emphasizes the need for reinforcement when addressing those susceptible to the evil inclination.

So, next time you feel like you need to hear something more than once to really "get it," don't be discouraged! It doesn't mean you're less capable. It just means you're human. You're wrestling with your yetzer hara, and you, like the rest of us, need a little extra guidance along the way. Maybe that's why we have so many interpretations, commentaries, and traditions – to help us navigate this complex world, one step at a time.