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SHEMINI “On the Eighth Day”
26 MAR 2011
Shabbat Parah
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Numbers 19:1-22 “Maftir”
II Samuel 6:1-7:17
Ezekiel 36:16-38
Hebrews 10:9-22; 34, 35
On the eighth day (Sh’mini) following “seven days of
inauguration,” Aaron and his sons are inducted into GOD’s service and
begin to officiate as Kohanim (priests). A fire issues forth from GOD
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 GOD’s presence with His people.
Aaron’s two elder sons, Nadav and Avihu, offer a “strange fire” before
GOD, which He commanded them not to do, and they die.
GOD commands the kosher laws, identifying the animal
species permissible and forbidden for consumption. 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 GOD, for without an offering one could not approach a holy GOD.
Finally, Aaron blesses the people with the Aaronic blessing and GOD’s
presence descended upon them and dwelt among them.
As we all know today there is no Priesthood as prescribed
in the Torah because there is no Temple. However, in the Brit Hadashah
we are told that we all are a royal priesthood, and we are told to offer
up spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5). The question then arises as what
kind of spiritual sacrifices we should offer. Well here some that we
should bring:
1) Our bodies, as” living sacrifices”-Rom.12:1-2.
2) A lifestyle characterized by sacrificial
love-Eph.5:1-2.
3) Praise and thanksgiving-Heb.13:15.
4) Doing good and sharing with others-Heb.13:16;
Philippians 4:15-18.
5) Even the way we die for GOD-Philippians 1:20; 2:17;
2Tim.4:6.
In the Tanach, sacrifices were offered for those out of
fellowship with GOD, to restore them back. Other sacrifices were to
express thanksgiving, praise, love and devotion. For us, we know that
Yeshua provided the way to restore us to covenant with GOD-Heb.10:11-18.
Therefore our sacrifices are not to remove sin or try to earn our way
back, this has been done already by the blood of “The Lamb of GOD.”
Thus our sacrifices are to express thanksgiving, praise, love, and
devotion to the One who was, who is, and will forever be full of mercy
and compassion, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance.
Shabbat Tov
Rabbi Z.
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