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SHEMINI
18 Apr 2009
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
II Samuel 6:`-7:17
Hebrews 10:9-22; 34, 35
On the eighth day
(Shemini) following “seven days of inauguration,” Aaron and his sons are
inducted into G-d’s service and begin to officiate as Kohanim (priests).
A fire issues forth from G-d to consume the offerings on the Altar and the
Divine Presence comes to dwell in the Sanctuary. The Tabernacle was now
erected and consecrated, along with the priests, to represent G-d’s
presence with His people.
Aaron’s two elder sons,
Nadav and Avihu, offer a “strange fire before G-d, which He commanded them
not” and they die. Aaron is silent in face of this tragedy. Moses and
Aaron subsequently disagree as to a point of law regarding the offerings,
but Moses concedes to Aaron being in the right.
G-d commands the kosher
laws, identifying the animal species permissible and forbidden for
consumption. Land animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and
also chew their cud; fish must have fins and scales; a list of non-kosher
birds is given, and a list of kosher insects (four types of locusts).
Also listed are some of
the laws of ritual purity, including the purifying power of the mikveh (a
pool of water meeting specific qualifications, living water-mayim
chayim). The people of Israel are enjoined to differentiate between the
impure and the pure. The Holy altar represented sacrifice to G-d, for
without an offering, one could not approach G-d.
Just as Aaron blesses
the people with the Aaronic blessing, G-d’s presence descended upon them
and dwelt among them. So He is among us now (1Cor 3:16)
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Z.
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