The Parsha in a Nutshell In the 25th chapter of Exodus we read of the command to build the Sanctuary. Shemini represents the conclusion of that story with the celebration of the first services in the Tabernacle. But what would have been a joyous occasion turns into tragedy when two of Aharon’s sons die because they brought a “strange fire”…
…as to whether you say, how long do you say, “L’David Hashem Ori V’Yishi”? We start on the first of Elul. Till when do you say it? Do you say it until Hoshana Rabba? Or do you say it up to Shemini Atzeret? Do you say it on Shemini Atzeret? And yesh poskim lekan veyesh poskim lechan, but here it’s…
The shock is immense. For several weeks and many chapters – the longest prelude in the Torah – we have read of the preparations for the moment at which God would bring His Presence to rest in the midst of the people. Five parshiyot (Terumah, Tetzaveh, Ki Tissa, Vayakhel and Pekudei) describe the instructions for building the Sanctuary. Two further…
The Parsha in a Nutshell Parshat Shemini is the last chapter of the long section that we began in the 25th chapter of Shemot. We started with the command to build the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and in Shemini, the building and preparations are all finished. It is finally time to start using the Mishkan. Special priestly celebrations took place to…
…apply to the days of the week but to the days of the year. There are seven holy days specified in our parsha: the first and seventh day of Pesach, one day of Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the first day of Succot, and Shemini Atzeret. On six of them we are allowed to do some work, such as cooking…
…Shemini Atzeret, is a separate festival. Succot is one of the three annual shalosh regalim (the three pilgrimage festivals) where there was a special mitzvah to travel to Jerusalem and participate in the Temple service (the other two pilgrimage festivals are Pesach and Shavuot). The main mitzvah of Succot is to “live” in a succah all eight days. The schach…
The Parsha in a Nutshell Parshat Tazria continues the laws of purity and impurity begun in Parshat Shemini. One of the key roles of the Priest was to distinguish tahor from tamei, pure from impure. Impurity meant an individual was forbidden from entering the sacred space of the Sanctuary. These categories show us the contrast between God and human beings….
…Susan Jeffers, Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, Ballantine Books, 2006. [6] The composer Berlioz once said of a young musician: “He knows everything. The one thing he lacks is inexperience.” DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEMINI Why did the 1st Nissan begin as such a joyous day? Would you have more confidence in a reticent leader or an impetuous leader?…
…except for close relatives, and they have marriage restrictions too. The Parsha then details holy days and dates: Shabbat and Jewish chaggim; Pesach; the Omer counting, Shavuot; Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; Succot; and Shemini Atzeret. Temple instructions cover the Menorah lighting and showbread placement. The portion ends with consequences for serious sins – blasphemy, the death penalty for murder, and…
It should have been the great day of celebration. The Tabernacle, Israel’s first collective house of worship, was complete. All preparations had been made. For seven days, Moses had performed the inauguration. Now, the eighth day, the first of Nissan, had arrived. The Priests, led by Aaron, were ready to begin their service. It was then that tragedy occurred. Two…