Parasha of the Week

16:12  Moshe rabbenu is directed to tell the Kohen Gadol (the Graet Kohen, Aaaron, his brother) that he should not come within the  kapporet .  Interesting word.  Some say  kapporet  means “lid.”  Others declare that it means, “curtain.”  Yet others say that it indicates the “seat of mercy.”  So what does it mean?  Understanding the Torah is paramount.  The root of the word  kapporet  is the same as  kippur .  It is not accident that the next few p’suekim (sentences) refer to the holy day of Yom Kippur.   Often when we are in the midst of deep pain or anxiety we come to holy places and thoughts. The Torah warns us, “Man may not see Me and live.” (Exodus 33:20) That may be what happened when Nadav and Avihu died (Aaron’s sons).  While the Torah is vague about what actually occurred and why they perished it is possible they were simply trying to see the face of...

A question is raised in the Mishna, “Who is wise?”  Ben Zoma answered in Pirkay Avot, “The one who leans from every person.” (4:1) However, in the Talmud the same question gets a different response,  “The one who sees what will be born.”  (Tamid 32a).  In other words, the outcome of their actions.   It is the second answer is quoted by the Ishbitzer Rebbe regarding this week’s Torah portion, Shmini.  He supplies this response because of what happens at the beginning of the parasha.  A strange fire brought to the altar of God consumes the two sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu.  They die in a conflagration.     The Rebbe goes on to explain that it is not enough to act but we must think  first, for sometimes we are doing something wrong for what we believe is the right purpose.  A person’s intent should always be doing what is good and right, not placing one’s own ego or cleverness ab...