Shemini
Lev. 9:1 - 11:47  

    This week’s Torah portion begins with a description of the public ministry of the priesthood of Israel .  At the beginning of the portion we read about the sin   and  tragic consequences  of two of  the sons of Aaron, Nadav and Abihu.  It is ironic that the priesthood had just been inaugurated when these two young men were judged because they “brought an alien fire before the Lord”.  Bible interpreters disagree as to exactly what the “alien fire” was but we do know that there was something very wrong with it!  From the text we know that they die and that Aaron accepts the outcome of the judgement of God.  This narrative portion is followed by a description of the laws of kashrut, the dietary laws.    The reason for these laws is given in 11:44 “I am the Lord your God - you are to sanctify yourselves and you shall become holy, for I am holy, and you shall not contaminate yourselves…”.    Evidently, coming into the presence of God was serious business!  The priests had to be very careful in their service and all of the Israelites had to be disciplined in their lifestyle in order to be able to worship in the presence of God.  Today, God continues to demand holiness in life in order to experience the presence of God.  But why? In the case of Nadav and Abihu, why are they judged so severely for this one sin of bringing strange fire before the Lord?  Why does one sin or a seemingly  “small” sin have such dramatic consequences.  The answer is that the closer one is to God, the more scrutinized one is.  If you were to open up a computer and cut just one wire, it is very possible that the whole  system will never work correctly. Our relationship with God is just as delicate and precise.  In order to have an optimal relationship with God, all systems must be in good order. This means being careful how we conduct ourselves; what we say, how we act.   Although by the grace of God, most people are not struck dead if they sin,  one’s relationship with God is certainly affected.  God calls us to a disciplined lifestyle.  In our Torah portion, this discipline is seen in the dietary laws.  Although, in the context of the passage, kashrut can no longer serve the same purpose as it did in the days of the Tabernacle and the Temple , these laws do illustrate for us the daily discipline expected of us if we are going to be holy before the Lord.  Every day is full of choices.  We choose what we see, what we say, and what we listen to..  We also choose what kinds of thoughts  to entertain in our minds.. Certainly in these days of the internet we have a myriad of choices!  Ask yourself the question, “am I choosing with God in mind?”   This week’s Torah portion is about making right choices.  May God give you discernment and discipline in making right  choices.

Shabbat Shalom!