Archive for the ‘ Shemini ’ Category

Dvar Torah Parshat Shemini 5772 2012

Nadav and Avihu, two sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire on the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan. Why did this happen? There are various reasons given. Rabbi Soloveitchik gives a very unique answer. He does not quote all the Midrashic explanations but refers directly to the reason the Torah mentions. The Torah [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Shemini 5771 2011

In the Talmud we find a statement that tells us that the letter Vav in the phrase HOLECH AL GACHON, “…creeps on its belly…” (Lev. 11,42) marks half of the letters of the Torah and the words DAROSH DARASH, “…inquired insistently…” (Lev. 10,16) mark the midpoint of the words in the Torah. (Ked. 30a) These [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Shemini 5770 2010

Whenever Hashem wanted to convey a law to the Jewish people He relayed it to Moshe and he in turn taught it to others. At times we read in the Torah that Hashem spoke both to Moshe and Aharon at the same time. This was true often concerning the laws for the priesthood. The one [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Parshat Shemini 2009 5769 דבר תורה פרשת שמיני

After Aharon’s two sons died the normal sacrifices were brought. The Kohanim were instructed to eat parts of these sacrifices and Moshe asked Aharon why he had not eaten them. Aharon replied that he was an Onen (in mourning for his sons) and the law prohibits a person in this state to eat of sacrifices. [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 2008 – 5768 דבר תורה שמיני

Moshe and Aharon came out of the Mishkan and blessed the people. Then the Torah tells us VAYERA CHVOD HASHEM, “…and the glory of Hashem appeared…”.(Lev. 9,23) What is strange about this statement is that whenever we read that Hashem appeared the Torah relates that He came to present a law or to reprimand someone [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 7 2007 – 5767 דבר תורה שמיני

The Torah tells us that Moshe said to Aharon: KRAV EL HAMIZBE’ACH, “…come near to the Mizbe’ach…” (Lev. 9,7) and perform your duties. Rashi implies there was no need for Moshe to tell him to go to the Mizbe’ach. He, therefore, explains that Aharon was embarrassed and fearful to approach his task. Moshe had to [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 6 2006 – 5766 דבר תורה שמיני

In last week’s Sidra we learned that there should be an ESH TAMID AL HAMIZBE’ACH, “A permanent flame should burn on the Mizbe’ach …”. (Lev. 6,6) What is the symbolic meaning of having a permanent fire on the Mizbe’ach? Perhaps it is a way of impressing upon us that the fire of Hashem, the inspiration [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 5 2005 – 5765 דבר תורה שמיני

We read of the great tragedy that happened when the Mishkan was inaugurated. Two of Aharon’s son brought an offering that was uncalled for and they were consumed by fire. Moshe then tells their brothers not to mourn but that the people at large should do so. The two remaining brothers, however, were not to [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 4 2004 – 5764 דבר תורה שמיני

We are given a description of how the Kohanim entered into their service in the Mishkan. All the sacrifices and procedures are explained. Finally the Torah says that Aharon lifted his hands and blessed the people. Then we are told: VAYERED ME’ASOT HACHATAT, “And he came down from offering the sin-offering … “ (Lev. 9,22) [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 3 2003 – 5763 דבר תורה שמיני

Moshe says to the people ZE HADAVAR ASHER TZIVA HASHEM LA’ASOT, “this is the thing Hashem has commanded you do…”. (Lev. 9:6) The strange thing is that nothing follows as to what He would have them do. A close reading of the Pasuk, however, gives the answer. The instruction was that “you should do”. The [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 2 2002 – 5762 דבר תורה שמיני

The portion we read this Shabbat ends with the laws of Kashrut. We are told what animals we are permitted to eat and which are forbidden. Does it really make a difference to Hashem what we eat? What is the difference between eating a cow or a pig? Some people want to say that the [ READ MORE ]

Dvar Torah Shemini 1 2001 – 5761 דבר תורה שמיני

In this week’s Sidra we read the laws of Kashrut. The section ends by saying: This is the law…(LEHAVDIL) to distinguish between the TAMEY and the TAHOR.(Lev. 11;46-47) One of the reasons for Kashrut according to this passage is to be able to tell the difference between that which is TAMEY and that which is [ READ MORE ]

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