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SHEMINI
" The Eight Day"
10 April 2010
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
2Samuel 6:1-7:17
Acts 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)
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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