Shemini
Parshat Shemini-Shabbat Parah
The week before Passover we read about the week-long consecration ceremony of the priests. Today we read about what happens on the eighth (shemini) day. They begin their work and immediately two of Aaron’s sons deliberately do something wrong. A fire descends from heaven and kills them on the spot. God reiterates to Moses the need to be religiously pure and the portion concludes with a list of kosher animals.
First Aliyah - Leviticus chapter 9:1-16 pp. 630-632
Aaron offers a sacrifice of atonement for himself and the people of Israel.
Second Aliyah - 9:17-23 p. 632
Aaron then blesses the people and the glory of God appears to all of the people.
Third Aliyah 9:24-10:11 pp. 632-635
Fire comes from God and consumes the sacrifice. Nadav and Avihu, two of Aaron’s sons, then offer “strange fire” to God which has not been commanded. They die on the spot. Moses admonishes Aaron and Aaron is silent.
We are then presented with a list of regulations for proper priestly conduct.
Fourth Aliyah - 10:12-15 p. 635
How the priests are to eat the sacrifices.
Fifth Aliyah - 10:16-20 pp. 635-636
Moses asks why the sin offering wasn’t eaten. Aaron replies that it was due to the death of his sons.
Sixth Aliyah - 11:1-32 pp. 633-641
The list of animals, birds, and fish that can and cannot be eaten. No reason is given as to why some animals are kosher and others not; only that we are to obey because we are holy.
Seventh Aliyah - 11:33-47 pp. 641-642
Laws of purity of vessels. Further restrictions for eating animals.
Maftir – Numbers 19:1-22 pp. 880-883
Today is known as Shabbat Parah. It is one of the special Sabbaths before Passover on which we focus on purity. One had to be ritually pure to offer the Passover sacrifice and this section focuses on the purification process from contact with the dead.
Haftorah - Ezekiel 36:16-38 pp. 1287-1289
Our Haftorah describes a time not only when the people will be physically pure, but spiritually pure as well. Our heart and our body must be pure to achieve ultimate religious enrichment.
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