This Parsha is known for its uncharacteristic use of the verb "Emor," i.e., "Talk to," or "Mention" instead of the usual verb, " Da-ber," "Tell, or Speak To."
As with the English approximations I have employed, there is a striking difference in tone between the two.
The formula in the Torah is usually as follows: "Va-yeda-ber Hashem el Moshe leimor: 'Da-ber el Aharon" -- or -- "el Hakohanim" -- or -- "el Bnei Yisrael ...etc."
"And G-d spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aharon" -- or -- "the Priests" --or-- "the Childen of Israel ...etc."
This is followed by the specific instructions Moses is to convey. The word used for "speak" is "da-ber," a strong word, whose spelling is the exact same letters as "davar" which means "object" or "thing," signifying substance, hardness.
In this case, however, the word G-d uses in asking Moses to convey his instructions is "Emor" which means "talk" or even "mention this" (to the priests).
Existing commentaries have proffered various explanations but no one has mentioned what I believe to be the reason: that G-d is here showing His sensitive side.
The notion that G-d is Fearsome and Mighty is universal. The fact that He is Kind and Sensitive is not as well known.
Commentaries to date have focused on semantics, sentence structure etc. in trying to explain the unusual usage of language here but they have missed what I believe is the essential point, and that is context.
For what is G-d talking about here? He is talking about death in the family.
The instructions G-d is asking Moses to pass on to the priests have to do with the inevitable deaths of someone in their families, a sad topic for humans to ponder. G-d is saying, that, as a class, in order to maintain their spiritual purity, priests, as a rule, must not participate in the ritual disposition of dead bodies but for a parent, a brother, a sister who has not been with a man, they must tend to their proper burial.
The use of the softer word "Emor," mention," I believe, is G-d speaking almost sotto voce, quietly, because He, in his Great Might, has also, Great Sensitivity, to the topic at hand. In a way, He is being "menachem avel,"i.e, "comforting the bereaved" prospectively, in advance.
Therefore, the reason for the word "Emor" is to show that G-d knows human sadness and suffering, and is demonstrating His kindess by broaching this sensitive subject to the priests gently, rather than forcefully.
note: pair this with the next thingwhich seems to show G-d's insensitivitybutit's their future
