On the day of the Mishkan’s dedication, disaster struck. Yes, divine fire emerged and consumed the offerings on the altar, expressing God’s joyous revelation to Israel. But at the same moment, that fire struck and killed two young priests, sons of Aharon.
Aharon was functioning as the High Priest and his remaining two sons were the only other priests. Moses instructed Aharon and his sons to continue the day’s sacrificial service (10:6); after all, it was the day of the Tabernacle’s dedication and they were the only priestly family. The service had to be completed.
But not exactly…
Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel in this week’s Parsha Discussion: Shemini: In the Wake of Tragedy.
Please note that if you are printing The Parsha Discussion on US paper, please select the option “fit to print”.
Alex teaches Bible at Pardes and is the Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Alex by clicking here
