D'var Torah for פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי / Parashat Shmini 5785 26 April 2025 / 28 Nisan 5785
- Rabbi Stephen Epstein
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Parashat Shmini is the 26th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Shemini (“Eighth”) opens with the consecration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Two of Aaron’s sons are consumed by a fire sent from God when they attempt to offer a “strange fire.” God describes the animals, birds, and fish that are permissible and prohibited for consumption, as well as some laws of ritual purity. [1]
Triennial year 3
1: 11:1-8 · 8 p’sukim
2: 11:9-12 · 4 p’sukim
3: 11:13-19 · 7 p’sukim
4: 11:20-28 · 9 p’sukim
5: 11:29-32 · 4 p’sukim
6: 11:33-38 · 6 p’sukim
7: 11:39-47 · 9 p’sukim
maf: 11:45-47 · 3 p’sukim
Haftarah for Ashkenazim: II Samuel 6:1-7:17 · 40 p’sukim
Commentary and Divrei Torah.
Hertz Chumash: pp. 449 – 454 Triennial Year 3 (Full Kriyah pp. 443 – 454)
Artscroll Chumash: pp. 596 – 607 Triennial Year 3 (Full Kriyah pp. 588 – 607)
Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 636 – 642 Triennial Year 3 (Full Kriyah pp. 630 – 6422)
It’s interesting that the chapter that introduces us to Kashrut comes right after Aaron and his surviving sons are directed to make offerings. They are told which specific animals to use and the manner in which they are prepared. So perhaps this chapter is a continuation and segue to make sure that offerings are holy in the eyes of Hashem.
First of all it should be no surprise that food is a large part of our religion. After all, how much time in our lives do we spend deciding, shopping, preparing, cooking and eating? Even when dining out, we rarely grab food and just eat and consider the decision-making that occurs while waiting in line at a fast food restaurant (Kosher, of course, right?).
Many reasons have been offered as to the purpose of Kashrut. Some have claimed that health plays a part in the restrictions. Others have proffered that before hot water and dishwashers it was important to keep meat that was easily contaminated from dairy that can easily spoil.
There is also the old saying: you are what you eat. Perhaps this is ultimately the real reason. It has been said that there is nothing more to Kashrut than G-d’s mandate that the foods we are to eat are holy and apart from other food or dairy-meat combinations that would render us tamei or contaminated. Consider also how many commandments exist simply to remind us to continue to be mindful and perform the other mitzvoth, such as tsitsit, mezuzot and prayers. Since food consumption occupies a large portion of our time, what better way to remind us of our covenant?
Ultimately, eat and be happy.
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