Shmini

In this parsha

On the eighth day, following the seven days of inauguration, Aharon begins his service in the Mishkan and blesses the people, and God's glory appears as fire descends to consume the offerings. In that moment Aharon's sons Nadav and Avihu bring an unbidden strange fire and are struck down, and Moshe charges Aharon and his surviving sons regarding mourning and serving without wine. The parsha then sets out the dietary laws, the signs of permitted and forbidden animals, fish, and birds, and the impurity contracted through contact with certain carcasses.

Themes

• Eighth day, light beyond nature
• Command above human reasoning
• Kosher eating refines creation
• Aharon's teshuvah and bittul
• Serving for Hashem's will alone
• Holy speech elevating creation

Must-read teachings

1. 1Eighth day light beyond natureIn the Midrash on "And it was on the eighth day [Moshe] called..." (Vayikra 9:1) — [it connects it to] "Wisdom has built her house..." (Mishlei 9:1). The Midrash links the "eighth day" of the Mishkan's inauguration with the pasuk about Wisd…תרל"ט
2. 2The eighth day and the baal teshuvahIn the Midrash: "Wisdom has built her house..." (Mishlei 9:1), "she has sent forth her maidens, she calls..." (Mishlei 9:3). The Sefas Emes opens with the Midrash on the verses in Mishlei describing Wisdom building her house and sending out…תרל"ו
3. 3Teshuvah of Aharon elevates all IsraelIn Rashi: "Draw near to the Mizbe'ach" — why are you ashamed? It is for this that you were chosen. The Sefas Emes opens with Rashi's account of Moshe encouraging Aharon, who hesitated out of shame to approach the altar, telling him that thi…תרמ"א
4. 4Command outweighs reasons in mitzvosIn the name of my grandfather, of blessed memory, on the sin of Nadav and Avihu — "which He had not commanded them" (Vayikra 10:1). Citing his grandfather (the Chiddushei HaRim), the Sefas Emes addresses the sin of Nadav and Avihu, who brou…תרל"ט
5. 5Kosher laws refine and sanctify this worldOn the verse "And [Hashem] spoke… saying to them" (Vayikra 11:1-2). The Sefas Emes opens on the introduction to the laws of kosher and non-kosher animals, focusing on the seemingly extra word "lemor" (saying). And in the Midrash: "the word …תרמ"א
6. 6Kosher eating and the redemption of the soulOn the verse, "Do not make your souls abominable… I am Hashem who brings you up [from the land of Mitzrayim]…" (Vayikra 11:43-45). The Sefas Emes opens on the conclusion of the laws of kashrus, which warns against defiling the soul and reca…תרמ"ז
7. 7Mishkan as a microcosm of CreationThe Midrash on "Wisdom has built her house..." (Mishlei 9:1) — see there all the expositions. The Sefas Emes refers to the midrashic teachings that connect this verse from Mishlei to the building of the Mishkan and the events of Parshas Shm…תרנ"ו
8. 8Moshe and Aharon nurse Yisrael with measured holinessOn the verse, "and Hashem spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, saying to them" (Vayikra 11:1). The Sefas Emes notes the unusual phrasing addressing both Moshe and Aharon together. This implies that this parsha is especially designated for Moshe an…תרנ"ג