We have the culmination of the Mishkan (Taberncle)creation and beginning of use, doubled with the beginning Aaron and his sons being set aside as high priests occurring this week in the portion Shemini. Aaron loses two of his sons to the Most High’s fire and HaShem gives us the kosher dietary laws, kashrut. This parsha has quite the storyline to follow and see how it fits together.

When we last left Moshe he was setting up the Mishkan daily. This day, the eighth day it was left standing. The eighth day is a new beginning differing from the past seven days, though unlike creation the count did not begin at one again. The week centers around Shabbat, and the rest of the days’ names are numbers in Hebrew. The eighth day marked a changing of the guard. Moshe was formally inaugurating the Mishkan. Unless their camp moved from this point forward the Mishkan stayed up. Aaron and his sons were set apart for their holy work in the Mishkan and assuming their duties fully.

Aaron’s two eldest sons died as they brought their fire to the altar, strange fire. We learn they died from Most High’s fire, but they were recognizable and their clothes survived as well. There are differing opinions among rabbis as to why this occurred. They had too much to drink, or they decided to instruct their teacher Moshe are two primary lines of reasoning. What is common is that they did not perform their service to HaShem in the Mishkan as the Most High expected.

The laws of kashrut with lists of animals, birds, fish and characteristics or names to identify them with that are still in effect today. We don’t have the Mishkan or a standing temple today. Records of the families of the High Priests were saved to aid in identifying those qualifying in that role when a third temple is prepared.

The connections are there. The people and the High Priest’s family shared the standard and customs of eating kosher, as we can do today. Though we do not have the temple we have the connection to this time and HaShem’s plans through the observing of kashrut. Keeping the dietary laws set apart the people from the other cultures as HaShem had set apart Aaron’s family to serve the people. The people’s service was being a light to the nations.

Aarons’s eldest sons had a direct consequence how they performed what they were expected in their role. Today we may not see, with our eyes, a consequence for keeping the dietary laws. Lack of visible feedback from the Most High from either not keeping kosher and/or being a light to the nations doesn’t mean there is no consequence. Aaron and his remaining sons could not observe mourning. They remained in the Mishkan serving HaShem. Who remains serving HaShem today?

The other foods we eat have blessings before and afterward. The mammals, fowl and fish have their status of kosher. The Most High could have fed us in any fashion desired. Eating is a time that we briefly set aside our physical need of hunger and thank HaShem for provision. There were approximately 1300 years before a siddur was formalized with the blessings while there was kashrut. The people’s contact with HaShem was through spontaneous prayer or hitboudut. Recognizing that even the food in drought or plenty comes from the Most High would have been a likely topic. Today we have the blessings so that connection to our food and HaShem’s provision isn’t lost.

How has the Most High set you apart as a light where you are? Have any questions about the how to’s of living this set apart life, or living life on "mission impossible" If we accept the mission, it isn’t impossible we begin with the simple questions and learn how, baby steps. Everyone and everything has a beginning, even the Mishkan and the service of the High Priests. Today, it looks different, yet service to HaShem is service where we are being who we are, today,

Ruth Etalka

What is Hitbodedut? Hitbodedut is the ultimate expression of Emunah (faith) in Hashem! By defination it is unstructured personal prayer; Talking with HaShem as one would talk to a good personal friend. The Height of Hitboidut-meditation is when, because of your great longing to unite with HaShem you feel your soul bound to your body by no more than a single strand. Is there anything better than this to strive for in this life?(L.M. II:99)