Sh'mini 5773

The Torah Portion of Sh'mini 

 "...Come near to the sacrificial altar..."   (Vayikra 9:7)

The Satan showed Aharon the likeness of a calf, in order to interfere with his performance of the Divine service, so  Moshe said to him, "Come near to the sacrificial altar" (Vayikra 9:7), don't be afraid. (from the Da'at Z'kainim) From this we learn that when the Satan comes to prevent us from serving Hashem, we need to strengthen ourselves. (from Masters of Mussar, i.e. ethical teachings)

"And Moshe said to Aharon: Of this did Hashem speak, saying: 'I will be sanctified through those who are close to Me'." (Vayikra 10:3)

The death of Nadav and Avihu was by burning of the soul with the physical body remaining intact.  Moshe said, that they were greater Tzadikim (more righteous) than himself and Aharon.

"And Hashem spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, TO SAY TO THEM:  Speak to the children of Israel, saying, these are the living animals..." (Vayikra 11:1-2) 

It is written in Trei Eser, "And your sons and daughters will prophesy", that in the future to come Hashem will speak with all of Israel.  The Sages say that Moshe Rabeinu did not want to nurse from the Egyptian women because in the future he would speak with the Shechina, and that is what is emphasized in this verse (Vayikra 11:1) by the words "TO SAY TO THEM"; that in the future the Holy One Blessed Be He will speak with all of Israel, and therefore we need to be very careful in the matter of food and to eat only that which is Kosher, so that we will be worthy to have Hashem speak  with us.

Mussar (Ethical Teachings) from the Chafetz Chaim

The Chafetz Chaim says: just as we are careful not to put into our mouths forbidden foods, so one also needs to be careful about what he puts out of his mouth, that is to say, forbidden words.

The Torah Portion of Sh'mini has 91 verses, 6 positive commandments, and 11 negative commandments.The Haftorah is "V'yosef Od David" (Sh'muel Bait 6)

Shabbat Shalom.
May you all have a  light-filled and happy Shabbat.  

L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772