Sh’mini
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Précis: On the final day of the seven day ordination ceremony Moses instructs Aaron and his sons on the proper rituals. Aaron makes his offering. Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offer “strange” fire before God. They are slain. Moses tells Aaron that he must not engage in the normal mourning rituals. The Priests are prohibited from drinking alcohol while they are engaged in their sacred duties. Next, God tells Moses and Aaron to instruct the people about the animals they are permitted to eat (part of the laws of kashrut). A general warning to guard against defilement and to be concerned about ritual purity is given.
Exodus 9:1: “And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel...”
Numbers have significance in the Jewish tradition. This is a point underscored by the importance of “four” in our recent Passover celebration: four cups of wine, four sons, four reasons for our Deliverance, and the four Mothers of “Who knows One?”
Usually, the number seven is considered to be our most significant number, as it represents the days of creation (and therefore the days of the week). We count seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. Every seventh year is a sabbatical year, and after 7 sabbatical years, we observe the Jubilee year. In this parasha, we see that it takes seven days to initiate the Priests before they are allowed to make sacrifices at the altar. According to biblical tradition, the festivals were seven days (expanded to 8 days for those living outside of the Land of Israel). Seven seems to be, according to our tradition, a representation of wholeness or finality. But if seven means completeness, what are we to make of “eight?”
This week we read a parasha with the Hebrew name of “eight” (sh’mini). Eight seems to be a day of beginnings. It's on the eighth day that sacrifices are started after the ordination of the priests. The work of creation ends and a new realm of existence begins. A week ends with Havdalah, and we look forward to the new opportunities and challenges in the week ahead. Eight are the days we count before a brit milah: it is a time of newness and a beginning, as the baby boy is brought into union with the Jewish People.
Eight may indeed be a hopeful number; but remember that our reading this week tells us about the death of Aaron’s sons. Something new may not necessarily be wonderful. Everything that is new is not for the best. On the other hand, just as we are commanded to observe the Shabbat, we are also commanded to labor on the other six days. The 8th day is the first day of labor, with its possibilities of reward or disappointment. How we handle the transition to the new is our weekly challenge.
