Leviticus 9:1–11:47
Parshat Shemini
On the eighth day of the inauguration Aaron brings the first offerings and fire comes down from heaven. That same day his sons Nadav and Avihu bring a “strange fire” and die, and Aaron is silent. The portion closes with the laws of kosher animals, birds, fish and insects, and of purity and impurity.
Video classes
Essays
Parsha Shemini – 8x8 Moshiach is about going beyond one’s nature. Preparation for Moshiach requires a paradigm shift. Parsha Shemini – Double Duality Keeping kosher is good for the soul and the body. But, most importantly, it contributes to our sensitivity to spiritual matters. Parsha Shemini – Eight Is Not Seven! Numbers are a language. The number eight communicates the idea of transcendence. Parsha Shemini – Drink to Rectify the Drinking Keeping Kosher and Anti-Semitism have united Jews for opposite reasons. Parsha Shemini – Fix and Decorate Hypocrisy and inconsistency are not synonyms. The former is an intention to deceive; the latter is the natural fluctuations of life. We win some battles and lose some. Parsha Shemini – Idle Is Idol A person was created to be mobile. One must always strive to grow. To be a liberated person one must first be intolerant of the stifling stagnation of exile. Parsha Shemini – “He Could Have Said: Circumcision Is on the Eighth Day!?” G-d does not need or want us us to defend Him. G-d does want us to demand of Him to bring an end to pain and suffering. This is what our requests for Moshiach are all about! Parsha Shemini – Inquire Judaism has always advocated a spirit of inquiry. It is religious obligation to question, not doubt, the words of the Torah and uncover hidden meanings. The spirit of inquiry and investigative prowess also applies to searching for and discovering Moshiach; the internal as well as the external Moshia Parsha Shemini – Let It Be Known to All! Although one’s focus on publicity and fanfare is a sign of superficiality, it can enhance an already existing deep relationship. Parsha Shemini – Natural Wine Judaism tolerates and even supports clearly defined parameters for consumption of wine. However, the best way to get high is to imbibe the wine of Torah. Parsha Shemini – In the Spotlight The more spiritual we become the more light we generate. However, the increased spirituality also sheds more light on our imperfections. Higher spirituality is also a higher challenge. Parsha Shemini – Parity Imperfection was sewn into the fabric of our world. Our goal, however, is to reverse that process. This is what the Messianic Age is all about. Parsha Shemini – Suppressing and Expressing One of G-d’s gifts to us is that we can express deep emotion without artificial methods. Parsha Shemini – The Angel’s Angel Humans are both inferior and superior to angels. While angels were created before man; we were formed in G-d’s though before the angels. While angels contribute to the spiritual state of the world; we are the purpose for which the world exists in the first place. Parsha Shemini – Prohibition Judaism does not oppose drinking alcoholic beverages within certain prescribed parameters. The ideal form of imbibing, however, is the “wine of Torah.” Parsha Shemini – The Big Fish We were created as land creatures, but our goal is to be submerged in the refreshing waters of Divine knowledge. Parsha Shemini – The Eighth Day G-d’s plan for the world requires of us to choose freely to implement His Master Plan. The world had to go through ups and downs, before the plan was delivered to us. The world has also gone through vicissitudes to bring us to the threshold of the Messianic Age. Parsha Shemini – The Four Species: Getting Out of Four Exiles Keeping Kosher strengthens our past, present and future Parsha Shemini – The Paradox of Judaism Judaism is about fusion and synthesis. The goal is the fusion of Divine inspiration with human endeavor. Parsha Shemini – The Kabbalah of Food Eating kosher is an act of liberation. We liberate the hidden sparks of holiness embedded in the food. Parsha Shemini – We’re Still Waiting When doing good does not beget positive results; don’t give up. Just do more good. The results are guaranteed!