Torah Classes

Chp. 10 verses 4 - 11: Story of Rabbi Yochanan Ben Yaki and the death of his son and his students attempt to console him. The bodies of Nadav and Avihu are taken by their uncles out of the Mishkan. Moshe instructs Aaron and his remaining sons not to leave the precincts of the MIshkan and not to mourn. However, he tells the people to do so for them. Hashem speaks only to Aaron and instructs him about the prohibition of being intoxicated while performing the service in the Mishkan, on the penalty of death.

Chp. 10 verses 1 - 3: The two sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, bring a strange fire of incense into the Mishkan. As a result they are burnt by a heavenly fire which kills them. Moshe explains to Aaron the significance of their sacrifice and how it brought honor to Hashem before the people and Aaron was silent.

Chp. 9 verses 17 - 24: Continues with the sacrifices brought by Aaron on the eighth day of the dedication of the Mishkan. He raises his hands and blesses the people. Moshe and Aaron pray together and the glory of Hashem appears and a fire comes down and consumes the burnt offering and the fats on the alter. The people shout out and praise Hashem and they fall on their faces.

Chp. 9 verses 4 - 16: Continues with the sacrifices that were brought by Aaron on the eight day of the consecration of the Mishkan and the induction of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood.

Chp. 11 verses 33 - 47: Continues with earthen ware vessels, and their laws. The role that liquids play in preparation of spiritual defilement. The power of a Mikvah to purify people and vessels after being defiled. Hashem is holy and He took us out of Egypt to elevate us that we too should be holy, specifically by watching what we eat.

Chp. 9 verses 1 - 3: Connection and introduction. The eighth day of consecration of the Tabernacle. The ten crowns that were bestowed upon the day and the sacrifices that were brought.

Chp. 8 verses 22 - 36: Continues with the induction of Aaron and his sons into the service of the priesthood. This was the last day that Moshe served as a Priest in the Tabernacle. He placed the blood of the ram on the right ear, right thumb, and the right big toe of Aaron and his sons. He sprinkled the blood and the oil on them and their clothing. He told them to stay in the Mishkan for the seven days of consecration. They did all the things which G-d had commanded through the hand of Moshe.

Chp. 7 verses 12 - 21: Continues with the laws of the thanksgiving offering, and the breads that were offered with it. The meat could only be eaten for one day and the following night, whereas other peace offerings could be eaten on the next day as well until sunset. Anything that was left over would be burnt on the third day. If when bringing his sacrifice the owner had in mind that he would eat the sacrifice on the third day it would make his sacrifice invalid it would become "Pigul" disgusting. Any clean meat that would touch meat that was defiled could not be eaten and would have to burnt. On the other hand, anyone who was clean could eat from the peace offering. If he was unclean and ate from a peace offering his soul would be cut off from his people.

Chp. 8 verses 1 - 21: The installation of the priests. This portion is placed next to the clothing of the priest to teach us that just as the sacrifices bring atonement so too the clothing of the priest bring atonement. The connection with Aaron and the Mishkan and Adam and the sin of the eating from the tree of knowledge and the creation of the world. Moshe dresses Aaron and his sons in their priestly garments. He anoints Aaron and all the vessels in the Tabernacle with oil. Moshe does everything as G-d had commanded him.

Chp. 6 verses 21 - 23 Chp. 7 verses 1 - 12: Continues with the sin offering. The earthen ware vessel in which the meat was cooked had to be broken. A copper vessel could be scoured and rinsed and used again. Only male priests in a state of purity and in a holy place could partake of the offering. If the blood was sprinkled in the tent the whole sacrifice was invalid and would have to been burnt. Chp. 7, begins with the laws of the guilt offering. It was sacrificed in the same place that the burnt offering was. Both the sin offering and the guilt offering shared the same laws in order to attain atonement for the penitent. The priests who brought the sacrifice kept the hide. The meal offering was divided equally among the priests who were in attendance. Continues with the laws of the peace offering. The thanksgiving offering was a type of peace offering, it was brought with forty loaves of bread and matzoh.