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Laws of Purity Regarding Childbirth and Skin Afflictions When Tazria/Metzora are read seperately, the 1st Aliya for Tazria begins here. The Chumash now goes into an account of different laws concerning impurity in regards to humans. Rabbi Simlai points out (as brought down by Rashi) that the placement of these laws concerning humans following thatContinue reading “Tazria-Metzora, 1st Aliyah”

Laws of Impurity Regarding Vessels and Animals Earthenware Vessels If an impure object enters inside of an earthenware vessel, even if it doesn’t touch the walls of the vessel, the vessel becomes impure. An earthenware vessel does not get purified through immersion in a mikvah but rather through being “broken”, i.e. unfit for its designatedContinue reading “Shmini 7th Aliyah”

Laws Regarding the Permissibility and Purity of Animals G-d relates some laws to Moshe regarding the Kosher status of animals. He tells Moshe that he should then relate all of this afterwards to Aaron who should then relate it to his sons Elazar and Ithamar who were then to relate it to the entire IsraeliteContinue reading “Shmini 6th Aliyah”

Three Sin Offerings On the eighth day of the inauguration three he-goat sin offerings are made: The first two of these offerings were like regular sin offerings in the sense that the meat of the offering was eaten by the Kohanim. The third offering however burnt in its entirety on the altar, leaving nothing forContinue reading “Shmini 5th Aliyah”

The Priestly Portion of the Meal and Peace Offerings on the 8th Day It was initially decreed that all of Aaron’s four sons die as a punishment* for his involvement with the sin of the golden calf. Moshe’s prayers however successfully annulled half of the decree (so Nadav and Avihu died and Elazar and IthamarContinue reading “Shmini, 4th Aliyah”

The Death of Nadav and Avihu A fire comes down from heaven and consumes the burnt offering on the altar and the nation sings praises and prostrate themselves. Then Nadav and Avihu, two of Aaron’s sons, become intoxicated with wine. They then each take their respective fire pans and put fire in them and incenseContinue reading “Shmini, 3rd Aliyah”

G-d’s Glory Appears in the Merit of Aaron After the regular daily Burnt Offering, Aaron brings over the meal offering and scoops it into his three fingers (see earlier in Chumash for more info on this) and burns this on the altar. He then slaughters the peace offering of the nation – the bull andContinue reading “Shmini, 2nd Aliyah”

The 8th Day On each of the seven days of the inauguration Moshe would disassemble the Mishkan and then reassemble it again on the following day. On the 8th day, which was the first day of the month of Nissan* Moshe did not disassemble the Mishkan but rather it remained standing. *Side note: That year,Continue reading “Shmini, 1st Aliyah”

The Final Instructions Regarding the Inauguration Moshe takes some of the anointing oil as well as some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkles it on Aaron, his sons and their clothes, thereby sanctifying them and their clothing. Moshe then tells Aaron and his sons to cook the flesh of the offeringContinue reading “Tzav 7th Aliyah”

The Final Inauguration Offering Moshe then brings a second ram. Rashi refers to this ram as a peace offering, however the Ramban refers to it as the offering of the inauguration since it was the last offering that was offered during the inauguration making the entrance of Aaron and his sons into the Kehunah complete.Continue reading “Tzav, 6th Aliyah”