Parashat Shemini
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− | '''Parashas Shemini''' is the third parsha in the Book of Vayikra. It contains 91 pesukim. For the Haftora, [[Dovid HaMelech|King Dovid's]] bringing of the Aron is read. | + | '''Parashas Shemini''' is the third parsha in the Book of Vayikra. It contains 91 pesukim. For the Haftora, [[Dovid HaMelech|King Dovid's]] bringing of the Aron is read. |
==Eighth Inauguration Day== | ==Eighth Inauguration Day== | ||
− | The eighth inauguration day took place on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. | + | The eighth inauguration day took place on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Moshe instructed Aharon regarding the day's special schedule in the presents of the Elders, thereby conveying to them that it was by the express command of Hashem that Aharon was entering into the Kehunah Gedolah, preventing them from claiming he entered on his own accord. Aharon was to sacrifice the following unblemished animals on that day... |
'''Personal Sacrifices''' | '''Personal Sacrifices''' | ||
− | # Korban Chatas - | + | # Korban Chatas - a bull calf as a sin offering. This informed Aharon that Hashem had granted him atonement through this sacrifice for his role in the incident of the golden calf. |
− | # Korban Olah - | + | # Korban Olah - a ram as a burnt offering |
'''National Sacrifices''' | '''National Sacrifices''' | ||
− | # Chatas - | + | # Chatas - a he goat as a sin offering |
− | # First Olah - | + | # First Olah - a calf in its first year, as a burnt offering |
− | # Second Olah - | + | # Second Olah - a lamb in its first year, as a burnt offering |
# First Shilamim - an ox as a peace offering | # First Shilamim - an ox as a peace offering | ||
# Second Shilamim - a ram as a peace offering | # Second Shilamim - a ram as a peace offering | ||
# Mincha - a meal offering mixed with oil | # 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 this location | + | Animals for these sacrifices were brought and placed in front of the Ohel Moed and the entire Nation gathered at this location. These unique one time sacrifices were mandatory on that day and served the special task of drawing down the Shechina into the Mishkan. |
===Aharon's Services=== | ===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 | + | 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. Which would also prove that Aharon had been selected for the position of high priest by Hashem. |
− | + | Aharon was bashful and afraid to approach the altar out of humility and fear for the honor of the Shechina. Moshe strengthened him, telling Aharon that he had been chosen to perform these tasks. He then commanded him to offer the sacrifices, which were to serve as an atonement for himself and the Nation. First Aharon offered the daily morning Korban Tomid, proceeding only after this with the other sacrifices. | |
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− | Aharon was bashful and afraid to approach the altar | + | |
===Aharon's Sacrifices=== | ===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 diaphragm with the liver and burnt it on the altar. Aharon then burnt the remaining flesh and hide in a fire outside the camp. This burning was an exception to the general rule of all external sin-offerings | + | '''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 diaphragm with the liver and burnt it on the altar. Aharon then burnt the remaining flesh and hide in a fire outside the camp. This burning was an exception to the general rule of all external sin-offerings, whose blood is sprinkled on the outside altar are eaten by the kohanim. It was only here and by the 'ox sin-offerings' offered during the 'seven days of inauguration' that this exception was made, at the express command of Hashem. |
− | '''Olah''' - Aharon slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons presented him the blood which he proceeded to dash around the altar. They then presented the dissected burnt offering to Aharon in pieces, including the head and he burnt these on the altar. Aharon washed the innards and the legs, and burnt them on the altar as well. | + | '''Olah''' - Aharon slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons presented him the blood which he proceeded to dash around the altar. They then presented the dissected burnt offering to Aharon in its prescribed pieces, including the head and he burnt these on the altar. Aharon washed the innards and the legs, and burnt them on the altar as well. |
===Public Sacrifices=== | ===Public Sacrifices=== | ||
− | '''Chatas''' - Aharon brought the nation's 'sin offering goat', slaughtered it, and sacrificed it according to the 'laws of sin-offerings', | + | '''Chatas''' - Aharon brought the nation's 'sin offering goat', slaughtered it, and sacrificed it according to the 'laws of sin-offerings', just 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]]. | + | '''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 using the 'Kmitza' technique, | + | '''Mincha''' - Aharon brought forward the meal offering, filled his palm with it using the 'Kmitza' technique, and burnt it on the altar. |
− | '''Shilamim''' - Aharon continued to slaughter the ox and ram, the nations's | + | '''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=== | ===Priestly Blessing=== | ||
− | Aharon lifted up his hands towards the Jews and blessed them with the Birchat Kohanim | + | Aharon lifted up his hands towards the Jews and blessed them with the Birchat Kohanim. He then descended from the altar after having sacrificed the sin offerings, burnt offerings and peace offerings. |
===Second Blessing=== | ===Second Blessing=== | ||
− | Moshe took Aharon into the Ohel Moed to teach him the procedure for burning the Ketoret incense. | + | Moshe took Aharon into the Ohel Moed to teach him the procedure for 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 reviewing 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, | + | 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=== | ===Descent of Shechinah=== | ||
− | After the second blessing, the glory of Hashem appeared to all the people and a heavenly fire descended onto the Mizbeach | + | 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=== | ===Other Sacrifices=== | ||
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===Foreign Fire=== | ===Foreign Fire=== | ||
− | Excited by the divine fire that had descended, Nadab and Abihu, each took a pan with fire and placed incense upon it, bringing this foreign fire that Hashem had not commanded into the Kodesh HaKodashim section of the Mishkan. | + | Excited by the divine fire that had descended, Nadab and Abihu, each took a pan with fire and placed incense upon it, bringing this foreign fire that Hashem had not commanded into the Kodesh HaKodashim section of the Mishkan. |
===Calculations=== | ===Calculations=== | ||
− | Nadav and Avihu interpreted the command "and the sons of Aharon shall place fire on the altar" as instruction to continue and bring mundane fire despite a descent of divine fire. | + | Nadav and Avihu interpreted the command "and the sons of Aharon shall place fire on the altar" as instruction to continue and bring mundane fire despite a descent of divine fire. |
− | + | ===Offense=== | |
− | + | Nadav and Avihu were on an awesomely high spiritual state but according to their great level, committed a number of faults that for them were considered offences. | |
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− | Nadav and Avihu were on an awesomely high spiritual | + | |
====Ruling Before Master==== | ====Ruling Before Master==== | ||
− | A student that issues a Halachic ruling in the presents of his master, is deserving of death. Therefore, despite their calculations containing validity, Nadav and Avihu did not have the right to reach an action producing conclusion on their own, without | + | A student that issues a Halachic ruling in the presents of his master, is deserving of death. Therefore, despite their calculations containing validity, Nadav and Avihu did not have the right to reach an action producing conclusion on their own, without geting a ruling from their master Moshe, who was located in the vicinity. |
====Alcoholic Influence==== | ====Alcoholic Influence==== | ||
− | Nadav and Avihu entered the Ohel Moed after having drunk wine. In order to prevent this from occurring again, Aharon was informed of this prohibition immediately following their death. | + | Nadav and Avihu entered the Ohel Moed after having drunk wine. In order to prevent this from occurring again, Aharon was informed of this prohibition immediately following their death. |
====Entering Kodesh HaKodashim==== | ====Entering Kodesh HaKodashim==== | ||
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====Uncommanded Sacrifice==== | ====Uncommanded Sacrifice==== | ||
− | Nadav and Avihu innovated their own sacrifice that was never commanded by Hashem. | + | Nadav and Avihu innovated their own sacrifice that was never commanded by Hashem. |
====Strange Fire==== | ====Strange Fire==== | ||
− | Nadav and Avihu took a simple mundane flame from the fireplace. | + | Nadav and Avihu took a simple mundane flame from the fireplace. |
====Lack of Consul==== | ====Lack of Consul==== | ||
− | Not only did they not seek consul from their teacher Moshe, or father Aharon, they did not seek consul from each other and carried out the act without discussing it first one with the other. | + | Not only did they not seek consul from their teacher Moshe, or father Aharon, they did not seek consul from each other and carried out the act without discussing it first one with the other. |
====No Marriage==== | ====No Marriage==== | ||
− | + | Nadav and Avihu never married and did not have any children since they did not consider any woman worthy for them. This was especially true considering their uncle Moshe held position of 'king', their other uncle from their mother's side Nachshon ben Aminadav was the leading Nassi, their father Aharon was high priest and they themselves were deputy priests. | |
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− | Nadav and Avihu never married and did not have any children since they did not consider any woman worthy for them. | + | |
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===Strings of Fire=== | ===Strings of Fire=== | ||
− | Two strings of fire emerged from the Kodesh Hakodash, splitting into four strings. Two entered the nose of Nadav and two the nose of Avihu, one string per nostril and burnt their souls | + | Two strings of fire emerged from the Kodesh Hakodash, splitting into four strings. Two entered the nose of Nadav and two the nose of Avihu, one string per nostril and burnt their souls. As they were dying, angles pushed them out towards the Azarah, collapsing outside or close by. |
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==Prohibition of Drunkenness in Temple== | ==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. | + | 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. |
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==Burnt Rosh Chodesh Goat== | ==Burnt Rosh Chodesh Goat== | ||
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Anything attached to the ground can not become impure until it is detached and becomes wet with the consent of its owner. | Anything attached to the ground can not become impure until it is detached and becomes wet with the consent of its owner. | ||
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[[Category:Parsha]] | [[Category:Parsha]] |
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