From TorahVort.com
Shemini
This weeks Parshah starts off relating the events of the day of inaugurating the tabernacle, which took place on the 1st Nissan. This day saw Hashem’s presence finally rest upon the tabernacle, which proved that the sin of the Golden Calf had finally been forgiven as Hashem had now dwelled his presence upon the tabernacle. A good way to get Hashem involved in our lives in modern day is to try and repent for past transgressions that may have been done. On this day, Aharon had been finally elevated to earn the status as ‘Kohen Gadol’ and his sons were elevated to the position of Kohanim and they all finally carried out the priestly tasks, bringing three of their own sacrifices on that day to confirm their elevated status. The day of the inauguration of the tabernacle was a glorious day; however it was marred by the deaths of two of Aharon’s four sons, Nadav and Avihu. Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu, innovated an offering in the holy of holies that was not commanded by G-d. As a result, a fire came from before G-d and consumed them; this stressed the need to perform the commandments only as Moshe directed. However there were other reasons for the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, including, they did not respect their father by not consulting or waiting for him to do the offering first, this showed a lack of respect for their father, in turn they broke one of the Ten Commandments. Another reason was that they died because they had no children and were not married; another reason was that only the Kohen Gadol was allowed to perform the service, in turn they broke that code of respect; another one of the many suggested reasons was, was that Aharon’s children were destined to die as a punishment due to Aharon’s part in the sin of the Golden Calf. After they died, Aharon accepted the judgment of Hashem without anger and in respect Hashem taught the Torah law to Aharon that a Kohen cannot perform an offering in an intoxicated state, a state which Nadav and Avihu were in when they brought their offering as they drank wine. The Parshah then goes on to relate the laws on Kashrut. It is believed that the laws of kashrut transform food into an opportunity for spiritual enrichment. The most obvious idea behind kashrut is self control and discipline. It is said that Kashrut imposes certain restrictions on the type of food one can eat. The Torah injunction “Therefore take good heed of yourselves,” (featured in Parshat Devarim) prioritises both our physical and spiritual well being. Jews, who observe these dietary laws (kashrut), must make regular decisions about what they eat, when they eat it and how they prepare their food. It is said that the dietary laws force us to stop and think about daily activities and deter us from going through life in autopilot. There are many rules, which govern kosher food, related in this weeks reading, including; An animal must have split hooves and chew the cud to be said to be kosher, A sea creature is only considered to be kosher if it has fins and scales. So most species of fish are kosher (tuna, salmon, etc.). Any food product of a non-kosher animal is also said to be non-kosher. It has also been said that meat and milk cannot be consumed together. The prohibition against meat and milk is said to remind us where our food comes from. The meat is from a dead animal, the milk from a living animal. These are foods that have their origin in living creatures and keeping them separate reportedly makes us aware of their source. Also there is a pasuk in the parshah of ‘Mishpatim’ in the book of Shemot which says how one should not cook meat and milk together. The animals eating under kashrut are thought to be chosen in part for their symbolism. It is hoped that we will absorb the qualities from these animals and, by not eating animals that are not kosher we are therefore not thought to be absorbing those attributes which we don’t want. The kosher laws are also felt to be designed to encourage us to view ourselves with dignity and to act with dignity. It is considered that the discipline that we use in choosing the food we eat also has an impact on how we lead our lives and how we treat ourselves and the people around us. This week's haftorah comes from chapter 6 of the second book of Samuel and relates how a man named Uzzah was struck dead when he disrespectfully touched the Ark featuring the tablets; this was reminiscent of Nadab and Abihu's death related in this week's Torah reading.
