Shmini
Shemini means “Eighth” – the Eighth Day of the Tabernacle’s Inauguration. For the first seven days of the Inauguration, Moses has performed the service; on the eight day, Aaron assumes the position of High Priest, which will henceforth be his forever. Aaron balks at the task, feeling unworthy and inadequate; Moses encourages him to step forward and assume his chosen role.
Aaron performs the procedures precisely as instructed. A Heavenly fire descends upon the Altar, and the people break out in joyous song.
In the midst of joy, tragedy strikes. Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s elder sons, enter the Sanctuary of their own accord to offer incense – and perish. Interpretations vary as to the nature of their error; by all accounts, it is a subtle misstep. Moses declares that Nadav and Avihu’s fate is a sign of their unparalleled greatness. Aaron’s reaction is the prototype for the Jewish response to tragedy: he is silent – acknowledging the enormity of his grief while accepting that which he cannot understand, confident in God’s unfathomable mercy and wisdom.
The Parsha also discusses the laws of Kosher animals. Land animals are Kosher if they have split hooves and chew their cud[1]. The Torah notes four species that possess only one of the two signs – such as the pig, which has split hooves but does not chew its cud, and the camel, which chews its cud but does not have true split hooves.
In contrast to animals, of which the majority are not Kosher, most birds are Kosher; the Torah lists the limited number of species which are not. Nevertheless, since the identity of these species is not known today, we only eat birds known by Tradition to be Kosher – such as chicken, goose and duck.
The signs of Kosher fish are fins and scales – specifically, the type of scales that detach easily from the skin. According to the Talmud, any fish with Kosher scales also has fins; the Torah mentions fins to add depth to our knowledge, rather than for practical relevance.
This week’s Maftir – the final segment of the Torah reading – is known as Parshas Parah, and can be found in Parshas Chukas, in the Book of Numbers. Parshas Parah is the third of four special selections read during this season in the Jewish calendar. The Parah Adumah is the Red Heifer, used in a special purification ceremony for people who have come in contact with the dead. The Torah presents Parah Adumah as the quintessential Chok - Unexplained Law: an edict incomprehensible to human intellect. Parah Adumah’s mystery lies in its paradoxical power to purify people who are impure while contaminating those who are already pure.
Parshas Parah is read in anticipation of the upcoming month of Nissan, the month of the Passover Holiday. In the times of the Temple, Jews would prepare for pilgrimage to Jerusalem, purifying themselves in anticipation of this sacred journey. We remember those joyous times, and yearn for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt once more.
[1] Traditional sources observe that many of the Kosher signs are associated with animals that are docile herbivores rather than aggressive predators.
Aaron performs the procedures precisely as instructed. A Heavenly fire descends upon the Altar, and the people break out in joyous song.
In the midst of joy, tragedy strikes. Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s elder sons, enter the Sanctuary of their own accord to offer incense – and perish. Interpretations vary as to the nature of their error; by all accounts, it is a subtle misstep. Moses declares that Nadav and Avihu’s fate is a sign of their unparalleled greatness. Aaron’s reaction is the prototype for the Jewish response to tragedy: he is silent – acknowledging the enormity of his grief while accepting that which he cannot understand, confident in God’s unfathomable mercy and wisdom.
The Parsha also discusses the laws of Kosher animals. Land animals are Kosher if they have split hooves and chew their cud[1]. The Torah notes four species that possess only one of the two signs – such as the pig, which has split hooves but does not chew its cud, and the camel, which chews its cud but does not have true split hooves.
In contrast to animals, of which the majority are not Kosher, most birds are Kosher; the Torah lists the limited number of species which are not. Nevertheless, since the identity of these species is not known today, we only eat birds known by Tradition to be Kosher – such as chicken, goose and duck.
The signs of Kosher fish are fins and scales – specifically, the type of scales that detach easily from the skin. According to the Talmud, any fish with Kosher scales also has fins; the Torah mentions fins to add depth to our knowledge, rather than for practical relevance.
This week’s Maftir – the final segment of the Torah reading – is known as Parshas Parah, and can be found in Parshas Chukas, in the Book of Numbers. Parshas Parah is the third of four special selections read during this season in the Jewish calendar. The Parah Adumah is the Red Heifer, used in a special purification ceremony for people who have come in contact with the dead. The Torah presents Parah Adumah as the quintessential Chok - Unexplained Law: an edict incomprehensible to human intellect. Parah Adumah’s mystery lies in its paradoxical power to purify people who are impure while contaminating those who are already pure.
Parshas Parah is read in anticipation of the upcoming month of Nissan, the month of the Passover Holiday. In the times of the Temple, Jews would prepare for pilgrimage to Jerusalem, purifying themselves in anticipation of this sacred journey. We remember those joyous times, and yearn for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt once more.
[1] Traditional sources observe that many of the Kosher signs are associated with animals that are docile herbivores rather than aggressive predators.