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April 2, 2024

Parshas Shemini Summary

During the ordination ceremony for Kohanim and consecration of the Mishkan, Moshe instructed Aaron to gather calves, rams, a goat, a lamb, an ox, and a meal offering for sacrifices (קָרְבֳּנוֹת‎, korbanot) to present before God. Aharon blessed the people with uplifted hands. 

Subsequently, within the Tent of Meeting, the divine Presence manifested, accompanied by the consuming fire of the sacrifices on the Altar. 

Regrettably, Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu deviated from the prescribed ritual, offering unauthorized fire (אֵשׁ זָרָה‎eish zarah), which resulted in their tragic demise by divine fire. Aaron was silent.

 The respectful removal of Nadav and Avihu's bodies was delegated to Aaron's cousins, Mishael and Elzaphan. God directed Aaron and his sons to abstain from intoxicants when entering the Tent of Meeting to uphold the sacred-profane distinction. 

The remaining meal offering was ordained as the most holy and the priests' entitlement, permitting their families to partake of specific portions in sanctified locations. 

A discrepancy concerning the handling of the sin offering led to Moshe rebuking Eleazar and Isamar. Aaron defended the action, seeking divine approval, which Moses eventually granted. 

Subsequently, God instructed Moshe and Aaron on the laws of kashrus (כַּשְׁרוּת‎) and various purity laws, emphasizing holiness as a reflection of the divine.