Parashat Shemini
Parashas Shemini is the third parsha in the Book of Vayikra. It contains 91 pesukim. For the Haftora, a section King Dovid's bringing of the Aron is read.
Contents |
Eighth Inauguration Day
The eighth inauguration day took place on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Moshe instructed Aharon in the presents of the Elders to sacrifice the following unblemished animals on that day...
Personal Sacrifices
- Korban Chatas - a bull calf as a sin offering
- Korban Olah - a ram as a burnt offering
National Sacrifices
- Chatas - a he goat as a sin offering
- First Olah - a calf in its first year as a burnt offering
- Second Olah - a lamb in its first year as a burnt offering
- First Shilamim - an ox as a peace offering
- Second Shilamim - a ram as a peace offering
- Mincha - a meal offering mixed with oil
Animals for these sacrifices were brought and placed in front of the Ohel Moed and the entire Nation gathered at that location.
Aharon's Services
Throughout all seven days of the investitures, Moshe had erected the Mishkan, performed its services then dismantled it daily, yet the Shechinah did not come to rest in it. This brought humiliation to the Jews who thought all their efforts to bring down the Shichina and prove they were forgiven for the sin of the golden calf had been in waste. Moshe responded that his brother Aharon was more worthy and important than him and through his offerings and services the Shechinah would descend to dwell amongst the Jews and would also prove Aharon had been selected for the position of high priest by Hashem. Moshe then commanded Aharon to offer the sacrifices in order to atone for himself and the Nation.
Aharon's Sacrifices
Chatas - Aharon approached the altar and slaughtered his sin offering calf. His sons collected the blood brought it to him, Aharon dipped his finger into the blood, placing some on the horns of the altar, he then poured the remaining blood at the base of the altar. He then took the fat, kidneys, and the diaphragm with the liver and burnt it on the altar. Aharon then burn the remaining flesh and hide in fire outside the camp
Olah - Aharon slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons presented him the blood which he proceeded to dash around the altar. They then presented the burnt offering to him in its prescribed pieces, along with the head and Ahron burnt these on the altar. He washed the innards and the legs, and burnt them on the altar as well.
Public Sacrifices
Chatas - Aharon brought the nation's sin offering goat, slaughtered it, and offered it like he did with his own sin offering calf.
Olah - Aharon then brought forward the burnt offering and prepared it according to the laws of a voluntary burnt-offering described in Parashat Vayikra.
Mincha - Aharon brought forward the meal offering, filled his palm with it, and burnt it on the altar.
Shilamim - Aharon continued to slaughter the ox and ram, the nations's peace offering. His sons presented him the blood and he dashed it around on the altar. They proceeded to presented him the fats from the ox and ram, including: the tail, the fat that covers the innards, the kidneys and the diaphragm with the liver. They handed Aharon the portions with the fats placed on top of the breasts, whose order now inverted due to the exchange of hands, leaving the breasts on top of the fats in his hands. Aharon did a 'Tenufa' waving and handed back the portions, once again inverting their order leaving the fats above the breasts. He then proceeded to burn these on the altar.
Priestly Blessing
Aharon lifted up his hands towards the Jews and blessed them with the Birchat Kohanim. He then descended from the altar after preparing the sin offering, burnt offering and peace offering.
Second Blessing
Moshe took Aharon into the Ohel Moed to teach him about the procedure of burning the Ketoret incense. Additionally Aharon saw that all the sacrifices had been offered and all the procedures had been performed, yet the Shechinah had not descended for Jews. He was distressed, blaming himself, saying the Shichinah had not descended since Hashem was angry at him. He then accused Moshe of putting him in this embarrassing predicament, having announced to all the Jews that the Shechina would descend in merit of Ahraon's services. Right away Moshe took Aharon into the Ohel Moed, where aside for learning the burning of the Ketoret they also prayed for mercy that the Shechinah should descend.
Moshe and Aharon came out and blessed the Jews as a continuation of their prayers, saying; “May the pleasantness of Hashem, be upon us", meaning; "May it be Hashem’s will that the Shechinah rest in the work of your hands.”
Descent of Shechinah
After the second blessing, the glory of Hashem appeared to all the people and a heavenly fire descended onto the Mizbeach. The Jews fell on their faces, giving praise to Hashem.
Other Sacrifices
Aside from the sacrifices of Aharon and the Nation, the daily Korban Tomid was offered, as well as the Rosh Chodes goat offering. Additionally it was the first day of the Korban Nasim and Nachshon ben Aminadav brought his offering.
Death of Nadav and Avihu
Nadav and Avihu offer a self-decided Ketoret incense and their souls are burnt. Moshe tells Aharon this incident was foretold by Hashem and he accepts and accepts the ruling with love. Moshe commands Elazar and Itamar to remove the bodies of their brothers and then refrain from any mourning.
Prohibition of Drunkenness in Temple
Hashem speaks directly to Aharon revealing to him the prohibition of drinking before performing services in the Beit Hamikdash or Mishkan as well as before issuing a ruling. Ahron merited this personal prophecy as a reward for accepting the death of his children with silence and love.
Burnt Rosh Chodesh Goat
Aharon and his two remaining sons eat the Mincha and the meat of the Shilamim offering but not the Rosh Chodesh goat offering. Instead they take this out to be burnt due to their state of 'Aninus' for Nadav and Avihu. Moshe becomes upset by this until Aharon explains the logic of their actions was based on the additional holiness of the Korban Rosh Chodesh that was commanded for all generations as opposed to the one time inaugurational sacrifices.
Kosher Animals
It is a Mitzva to understand the differences between the permitted and the forbidden and this is how the Jews sanctify themselves.
Mammals
Signs of a kosher animal
- Split hooves - Hooves of the animal are split reaching the bottom of its leg.
- Chews its cud - Animal swallows food then regurgitates it and chews it once again.
Non kosher land animals include; camels, rabbits, hares, and pigs.
Fish
Signs of kosher fish are fins and scales.
Birds
Torah lists 24 non-kosher bird species basically all predatory and scavenger birds. These include; eagles...
Locust
They have four signs; for legs, thighs, additional pair of smaller legs in front of body, four wings that cover most of the body. The following species of locust are kosher for eating; Arbeh, Salam, Chargol and Chagav.
Shiratzim
The following Shiratzim are forbidden to eat; mouse, turtle....
Shiratzim that creep on their stomach or with four or more legs are forbidden to be eaten.
Laws of Purity
Carcasses of impure animal impurify a person who touches or carries them until sunset, assuming he immerses in a Mikva before then. Clothing of an impure person also turn impure and require immersion.
Carcasses of pure animals impurify a person and his clothing until he sundown after having immersed in the mikva, through eating, touching or carrying
Carcasses can also impurify vessels including ovens and the food inside them. Vessels or garments created from leather or wood can be purified through immersion in the mikva. Potery can not be purified and once impure must be broken.
Streams and Mikvas can never become impure but a person sitting in them who touches a carcass, can.
Anything attached to the ground can not become impure until it is detached and becomes wet with the consent of the owner.