Next Reading
Torah Reading
Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47, Numbers 19:1 - 22
Haftarah
II Samuel 6:1-7:17
In this Torah portion, God commands Aaron and his sons to make the burnt and sin offerings at the Tabernacle. When God accepts the offerings, the people shout with joy. God describes to Moses the laws of kashrut.
Featured Commentary
According to one commentator, Aaron’s silence after the death of his sons only comes after he has finished crying.
Incorporating environmental concerns into to the Jewish dietary laws.
It’s easy to view those who share a different perspective as an enemy. But Jewish tradition pushes us to see something else.
Recognizing our fallibility can lead us to compassion and empathy for our fellow humans, and bring us closer to God and others.
Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
Jewish dietary practices allow us to welcome the sacred into our daily lives and into mundane acts.
This portion challenges us to express our most intimate and deeply held values with every mouthful.
There is a lot to learn from the long tradition of Jewish aversion to pork.
Reacting to Moses and Aaron's responses to the deaths of Nadav and Avihu provides us with an opportunity to examine our own responses to tragedy.
Although we can attempt to understand the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, we are ultimately limited and often feel powerless in the face of God.
The deaths of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons, teach us the value and also danger of spontaneous religious expression.
Relationships between the individual and the Divine are indeed possible.
The priestly prohibition against excessive drinking reminds us to support those in our community challenged by alcoholism.
Several commentators discuss the relationship of the elders to the priests, the people, Moses and God.
Kohenet Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny
Why was Aaron silent while mourning?
In his anger, Moses had lost his reason and knowledge of the law.
After the dedication of the Tabernacle and the ordination of the priests, two of Aaron's sons bring a strange fire before God and are consumed by fire; God then instructs Moses and Aaron regarding which animals may be eaten.
