This is Torah Thoughts from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Welcome to our weekly learning session regarding the Torah Portion of the week and a bit of commentary. This week we're reading Parsha Shmini (Lev. 9-11). Shemini is Hebrew for "eight", "It was on the eighth day, Moses summoned Aaron and his sons..."
So, what is going on? In this parsha we learn about the first Priestly Service. It was at this point where Aaron and his sons became the Kohanim the priests of the Jewish People. It was on this day...the eighth day...when the special service of the priests began. It was a very big deal.
But, just when the joy of the inauguration ritual was at it's peak...tragedy strikes. The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu were so overwhelmed by the event and by G-d sending fire to consume the offering that they decided, on their own, to attempt to honor G-d and took to the alter incense. As tragic as this event was we learn from this that being over zellious can bring destruction.
As we turn the page we come to the commandments about intoxication. This time G-d speaks directly to Aaron and tells him he must not drink wine when performing the service. Some consider this commandment to be a blanket commandment to abstain from strong drink. However the reason this commandment is here is to underscore that we should find gladness in service to G-d but it is not a condemnation in total.
Then in Chapter 11 we begin the Laws of Kashrus...what is and what is not kosher. Many consider these laws to be hygienic in nature. "They were enacted because the people lacked ______." (You can fill in the blank.) However, that is not the case. The Jew has a duty to become more and more like G-d and to do that He gives us rules. The kosher laws are basic to survival. We must all eat. However, WHAT we eat (or don't eat) is a call to control ourselves. Man has the ability to choose. We are not like, say, a dog who just eats. We have been given parameters to our lives. And these laws do just that.
Here we learn about kosher animals, fish, birds, insects...the list is short but powerful. The parsha ends by reminding us that G-d is holy so we too must be holy. From Lev. 11:46 - "This is the law of the animal, the bird, every living creature that swarms in the water andfor every creature that teems on the ground, to distinguish between the contaminated and the pure..."
Passover
It was a Passover like none other. Gone was the crowded table with guests. Some used digital methods to connect with family and friends for the seder. Others quietly celebrated. We spent the time reading the Haggadah and reflecting on those that could not be with us. I hope your Pesach was meaningful.
Here is an interesting Passover story for you. Did you know there is a "Second Pesach"?
The Torah (Num. 9: 9-14) makes provision for those who were unable to offer the Paschal lamb on the 14th of Nissan by allowing them to do so one month later on the 14th of Iyyar. It is called Pesach Sheni or the "second Passover".
Most of the restrictions of the first Passover do not apply to Pesach Sheni. According to the Mishna a person observing Pesach Sheni is required to eat matzah but is not obligated to rid the house of all chametz. Today some Jews still commemorate Pesach Sheni by eating matzah as a reminder of the Exodus. And...this is interesting...because more than one Passover is mentioned in the Torah, the tractate of the Talmud that deals with Passover laws is called Pesachim (plural) and not Pesach which is singular.
Pesach Sheni begins on after nightfall on 7 May and ends at nightfall on 8 May.
See what you learn here?
Have a wonderful Shabbat and please...stay safe and well.
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