Acharei Moth-Kedoshim:

Acharei Moth-Kedoshim:

 

The parshioth are structured like a sandwich. The Yom Kippur service is described in detail.  The description is introduced in the context of the death of the sons of Aaron - a reminder of how dangerous the service can be.

Then comes Molech and the forbidden relationships. Kidoshim provides the meat of the sandwich and ends with... Molech and the forbidden relationships. These passages are read in our Yom Kippur service.

 

The Yom Kippur service is very strange. A goat (Seir) is sent to Azazel, in contrast to the goat that is offered to Hashem.  In the parsha we are adjured not to offer sacrifices to seirim.

 

Molech: the talmud (Sanhedrin 64a) says that some rabbbis do not consider Molech idolatry, but rather an acceptance of subservience to an (effete) power.  The prohibition of Molech involves initiating descendants into the service.

Are the Freemasons followers of Molech? Are American patriots? Communists?  Allen Ginsberg  ( a violator of the forbidden) has a great midrash on Molech ((youtube) (Howl text).

 

It is confusing out there. Follow instructions and things may work out. Reality is a sandwich

 

Last year ( recommended):

Thazria-Metzorah:Reunion

Thazria-Metzorah:Reunion

 

The parshioth do not describe a cure for the various conditions that render a person tamei. It describes the diagnostic procedures and then it descirbes the ritual performed when cured from Taoraas, Ziva, the danger and bloodloss of childbirth. There are few things more pleasurable than the restoration of something lost, particularly health.  When our patients finish a prescribed course of chemotherapy, they have a party (maybe they should offer a couple of pigeons, too)

 

The special ritual of the purified leper ( tzoruah) is particularly fascinating. Among other details, a living bird is dipped into a mixture of bird blood and "living" water  and then set free. Reminds me of Noah.  He is floating (alone) on this mixture of water and the blood of every living thing.  In the end Noah releases a bird and the favorable sign is that it does not return. May the leprosy not return, thank you very much....korban todah.

Shemini

Shemini:fire

 

 

 

 

What is  foreign fire? 

 Fire is the hidden property of flammable matter.  The control of fire is the Gd like aspect of the human.  Fire was given to Adam as he left Eden (immediately after Shabath) so that people would not eat the same food as animals, people will cook their ( kosher) meat.

Our understanding of fire is the self propagating oxygenation reaction that requires activation.  The activation is the hard part. Before matches, it was a big mistake to extinguish a fire.  Starting a fire from scratch took alot of scratches and was a very iffy thing.  The instructions for the Altar included never letting the fire go out!

Kodesh includes the idea of Aish. Pen Tikdash Hameleya is the admonition about Kelyim; don't create the mixture of species lest you will need to BURN them (tokad aish)

Nadav and Avihu are burned because of their inappropriate approach to the source of heavenly fire. 

 בִּקְרֹבַי אֶקָּדֵשׁ, וְעַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָעָם, אֶכָּבֵד; וַיִּדֹּם, אַהֲרֹן.

 Then Moses said unto Aaron: 'This is it that the LORD spoke, saying: Through them that are nigh unto Me I will be sanctified (0r use as kindling - ekdosh), and before all the people I will be glorified.' And Aaron held his peace (was dumbstruck - vayidom).

The Lrd is dangerous.  The Lrd is HOT!

 

 

 

last year