The Untold Story of Silence

Parashat Shemini as a Bridge between Topics

from Siach Shaul p. 220-1

from Siach Shaul p. 220-1

Spontaneity: Good or Bad?

SHMINI

The President of the United States Salutes the Jew

Why did the President of the United States Salute the Jews? and what does this have to do with Shmini?

Fire: Holy and Unholy

The holy is that segment of time and space God has reserved for His Presence. Creation involves concealment. About Nadav and Avihus death.

Eat to Survive

Most human beings know that they eat to survive, but there are many, especially in Western society today, that survive to be able to eat. It becomes almost logical that the Torah, would suggest and ordain for us a list of foods that somehow would prove harmful to our spiritual health.

The “Eighth” Wonder

The “8th day” was the day when the Mishkan was permanently erected, the day that the Kohanim started their service of bringing the offerings, the 1st of Nisan. With so many amazing events happening all at once, why does the Torah cryptically choose to refer to this day as “the 8th day?”

Which Tablet Was Broken After Cheit Ha’egel?

Why does Aharon bring A Chatat on the 8th day? and what does this have to do with the half A Sekel contribution and the selling of Joseph?

Reticence vs. Impetuosity

It should have been a day of joy. The Israelites had completed the Mishkan, the Sanctuary. But tragedy struck. The two elder sons of Aaron “offered a strange fire" and they died. Aaron’s joy turned to mourning.

Lessons of Parshas Shemini

“I work as a leather tanner. Should I train for a different parnasah, so that I can make a living after Moshiach comes?” “What is the difference between a toad and a frog?” What does either of the previous two questions have to do with this week’s parshah?

The Rules of Kosher Food

One of the more distinguishing life values which Judaism advocates is the type of food that a Jew eats. Perhaps no other area of Jewish life has evoked so much scholarship and divergence of opinions.

Meat eater - Pack up for Israel!

Israel National Torah

deducting from the Torah reading why you're better off eating meat in Israel than in the Diaspora.

Why Eat Kosher?

What's the connection between working in a recording studio and eating non-kosher food?

Make Sure your Head Is Straight

In the aftermath of the death of two of Aharon’s sons, who brought “a foreign fire” (Vayikra 10:1), the Torah commands kohanim not to drink wine or other intoxicating drinks before entering or serving in the holy sanctum (ibid. 9). The Torah goes on: “… and to make rulings for Bnei Yisrael on all of the statutes that Hashem spoke to them by Moshe’s hand” (ibid. 11).

Meat eater Pack up for Israel!

The Torah sums up the whole section about eating animals with the mention of coming to Israel. Why are these two issues connected?

Cash and Clarity

Limits

MAD ABOUT YOU

Purity and Repentance

We begin the reading of two special maftirs that remind Bnei Yisrael of the preparations for the upcoming central mitzva of the Korban Pesach (see Rashi, Megilla 29a). Parashat Para discusses the step of those who came in contact with the high level of tumah coming from a human corpse, who needed to purify themselves in order to bring the Korban Pesach. Next week’s Parashat Hachodesh reminds people generally about the need to prepare for the Korban Pesach with a variety of halachot to keep in mind.