On the eighth day of the dedication of the Mishkan,
Aharon, his sons,
and the entire nation bring various korbanos (sacrifices)
as commanded by Moshe.
Aharon and Moshe bless the
nation. G-d allows the Jewish People to sense His
Presence after they complete the Mishkan and draw
closer to Him through their mitzvos there.
Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu,
innovate an original offering that
was not commanded by G-d. A fire comes from
before G-d and
consumes them, stressing the need to perform the commandments only as
Moshe directs. Moshe consoles Aharon,
who grieves in silence.
Moshe directs the kohanim
as to their behavior during the mourning
period, and warns them that they must not drink intoxicating
beverages before serving in the Mishkan.
The Torah lists the two characteristics of a kosher
animal:
it has split hooves; and it chews, regurgitates, and re-chews its food.
The Torah specifies by name those non-kosher animals
which have
only one of these two signs. A kosher fish has fins and easily
removable
scales. All birds not included in the list of forbidden families
are permitted.
The Torah forbids all types of insects except for four species of
locusts.
Details are given of the purification process after coming in contact
with ritually-impure species.
The Jewish People are commanded to be separate,
and holy -- like G-d. |