Day 2: Leviticus 9:17-23 (Study Notes)
Parsha Shmini: Day 2 (Leviticus 9:17-23) (Study Notes)
(Leviticus 9:17)
In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 17 we learn that this mincha meal offering was added to the burnt offerings of the morning.
The burnt offering discussed here again is the first offering of the twice daily burnt offerings discussed and commanded in Exodus chapter 29 verses 38 through 46. This burnt offering would have been a yearling lamb brought with a 10th measure of flour, a quarter hin of beaten oil, and a quarter hin of wine.
(Leviticus 9:18)
In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 18 we learned that Moshe then offered the well-being sacrifice of the people.
These sacrifices were an ox and a ram. We learned that the blood of these sacrifices are dashed on every side of the altar, creating the letter Chet (ח), which leads to chai (חי) for Am Yisrael.
(Leviticus 9:19)
In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 19, we learned that the fat parts were taken in order to be turned into smoke.
The fat parts that were taken are the broadtail, the fat covering the entrails, the two kidneys and the fat with them, and the liver protuberances. In Leviticus chapter 9 verse 20 we learn that these fat parts are laid over the breast, which would be the breast of the well-being offering which we learned about in Leviticus chapter 7 versus 28 through 34. All of this was then turned into smoke.
(Leviticus 9:21)
In Leviticus chapter 9 verse 21 we have a clear example of the first thing being mentioned second and the second thing being mentioned first.
We read in verse 21 that Moshe elevated the breast and the right thigh as elevation offerings. This would be in accordance to the laws given in Leviticus chapter 7 verses 28 through 34. These elevation offerings would have to be elevated before they were put on the altar. Thus verse 21 would have to occur before verse 20.
In previous studies, we learned that the broadtail is taken and burned from a sin offering and a well-being offering. This broadtail becomes “the ram in the bush” for the Israelite people. It is sin that keeps Israelites from becoming the head and instead threatens that Jews become the tail. But when sin offerings are given, and the broadtail burned, the tail is burned up instead of the Israelite people. Much like the ram in the bush that was burned to save the life of Isaac, so the broadtail is burned up and saves the people from becoming the tail and allows us instead to become the promised head.
As we learned previously, the rest of the fat is turned to smoke so that forgiveness of sin can be provided for the Israelite people. We learned previously that the fat is burned up so that the fat of the people does not have to be burned up. We learned that “the fat of the people not burning” means that by offering sin offerings (and the fat thereon) the sacrifices stave away starvation and famine, both of which come as a consequence of sin. Thus, when the fats of the animals who are “rams in the bush” are instead turned to smoke, the sins are forgiven, and famine is forgotten.
(Leviticus 9:22)
In Leviticus chapter 9 verse 22 we learn that after presenting all of the offerings, Aaron lifted his hands and blessed the people.
This blessing would have been in accordance to Numbers chapter 6 verses 24 through 26 where it is written
“may Hashem bless you and protect you. May Hashem deal kindly and graciously with you. May Hashem bestow His kindness upon you and grant you shalom!”
According to verse 27 of Numbers chapter 6, with this blessing, Hashem promises that His name would link the people of Israel and Himself so that He would bless them.
In verse 23 of Leviticus chapter 9, Moshe and Aaron, then go into the tent of meeting. The text does not give the reason for entering the Tent, but given the commands for the priests to eat their portion of the offering in the holy precinct, it is likely that Moshe and Aaron went into the tent to eat their portions before the LORD. When Moshe and Aaron come out, they then bless the people again. After these two blessings, Hashem’s presence then appears to the people.
By Hashem appearing after the blessings and offerings, we can understand that all of the sin offerings previously offered in the day (and previous seven days of consecration) did indeed lead to the forgiveness of sin for the people, the priests, and The Chieftains. The blessings were granted: Hashem‘s name was tied to the people as promised, and the greatest blessing of all (Hashem‘s presence) was bestowed upon all of Israel.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kimberly Davis