Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

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Adar II 18, 5771 · March 24, 2011 General Overview: This week's reading, Shemini, is a continuation of the previous week's reading, Tzav, where we learned about the Tabernacle's seven-day inaugural ceremony. This week's reading opens on the eighth day, when G‑d's presence descends upon the Tabernacle. On that day, Aaron's sons Nadab and Avihu die when offering an uncalled-for incense sacrifice. The portion concludes with a discussion about the laws of Kosher and ritual purity. This Week's Features Printable Parshah Magazine THE PARSHAH Shemini Leviticus 9:1-11:47 The Eighth Dimension... The death of Nadav and Avihu: 14 reasons, and a mystical explanation... Truth vs. Peace... What is morality? ... and simple things like what to eat and when not to get drunk COLUMNISTS When Aaron Got Cold Feet Aaron was eighty-four years old, a venerable sage and a dedicated leader. He’d been primed for his role as high priest and had rehearsed the sacrificial procedure for seven days. Why the cold feet? By Rochel Holzkenner Afraid? Good! It was precisely because Aaron did not seek power or prestige that he was chosen to a position of leadership. Now try telling that to our wannabee politicians… By Levi Avtzon What is the Jewish View on Martyrdom? I know that there are religions in which it's a great thing to die for your faith, and doing so makes you a saint or gets you a ticket to paradise. What is the Jewish view? Is a person supposed to die for his beliefs? By Tzvi Freeman FEATURED VIDEO Kosher Food Practical Parshah - Shemini The Biblical criteria for determining which animals are kosher and their practical application today. By Mendel Kaplan  Watch (55:00) Shemini These classes teach the day’s section of the weekly Torah portion. By Yehoshua B. Gordon  Watch FEATURED AUDIO CLASSES Parshah Thought A five minute weekly Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut. By Berel Bell  Download    Listen (6:37) Hanging From A Thread Parshat Shemini discusses the laws of impurity as it specificlaly relates to food. One of the stipulations for a vegetable to be susceptible to impurity is that it must be completely severed from the ground. If however there is even a small strand that can keep the vegetable sustained, it can not become impure. This class takes a Kabbalistic viewpoint of this concept. By Moshe New  Download    Listen (24:48) In Depth An in depth look at the weekly Parsha based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. By Manis Friedman  Listen (31:31)