Parsha Shmini: Day 1 (Leviticus 9:1-16)

(Study Notes).

In our previous studies of the book of Leviticus, we learned all about the animal sacrifices. In chapters 1 through 5 we learned specific details about the burnt offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings, and offerings for transgressions. Later in chapters Leviticus six through seven, we learned more specific details about these offerings. In chapter 8, we learned about Aaron and his sons and the consecration ceremony that took place to anoint both him and the altar and the tent of meeting.

Today’s lesson begins where chapter 8 left off. At the end of chapter 8, we learned that Aaron and his sons were to stay in the Tent of Meeting for seven days in order to complete their consecration. These seven days inside the tent would make expiation for Aaron and his sons.

(Leviticus 9:1)

Leviticus chapter 9 verse one begins by telling us that the order of offerings that we will learn about today begins on day eight. This eighth day is the day that the ordination of Aaron and his sons was completed. We read that Moshe calls Aaron and his sons to come out of the Tent of Meeting where they were commanded to stay for seven days less they die.

Previously, we have learned that the entrance of the tent of meeting was the place where the priests’ sin offerings and the offerings of the communal sin offerings were slaughtered. Thus the entrance was likely splattered with blood.

When we consider the holy day that we just celebrated, Passover, this command to remain inside the Tent becomes all the more important. Since the entrance of the tent of meeting was likely splattered with blood, the command to remain inside is much like the command for the Israelites to stay inside their homes, which was also marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. If the Israelites stayed inside their homes that was marked with the blood during the Passover, this would ensure חי or life. Similarly the command for Aaron and his sons to remain inside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days was likewise so that they would receive life and not die.

It was only after the completion of these seven days that the consecration of Aaron and his sons was completed (much like the order of creation). At that time, Moshe calls the elders of Israel and Aaron and his sons to come to the front of the tent of meeting. The calling of the elders of Israel was likely the calling of witnesses for the completion of Aaron and his sons’ ordination—two or more witnesses are needed for testimony to be accepted.

(Leviticus 9:2)

In Leviticus chapter 9 verse two, we read that Moshe commands Aaron to bring two types of offerings. First Aaron is told to bring a calf of the herd for a sin offering.

From our previous studies of Leviticus chapter 4, we can understand that the calf would be a bull, which is the sin offering for the priests. Second Aaron is told to bring a ram for a burnt offering. This is according to the laws of the burnt offering, which we learned in Leviticus chapter 1.  According to the laws which we have already learned in our studies of Leviticus thus far, both of these offerings were to be without blemish.

(Leviticus 9:3-4)

 In Leviticus chapter 9 verses three through four, Moshe orders the Israelites to bring five separate offerings. First we read that a he goat is to be brought for a sin offering. We learned previously that a he goat can only be a sin offering if it is brought as a sin offering for The Chieftains, according to Leviticus chapter 4, verse 23.

Thus, when Moshe is telling the Israelites to bring their sin offering, he is only speaking to the elders whom he called along with Aaron and his son’s in verse 9:1.

The second offering that the Israelites were commanded to bring is a calf for a burnt offering. This is in accordance with Leviticus chapter 1 verse three and verse five.

The third offering the Israelites were commanded to bring is a yearling lamb for a burnt offering. According to Leviticus chapter 1, verse 10, if a lamb is brought as a burnt offering, the lamb must be male without blemish. Next, the Israelites are told to bring an ox for a well-being offering. This offering is discussed in Leviticus chapter 3 verses one through five and Leviticus chapter 4 verse 10. Finally, the Israelites are told to bring a ram (also as a well-being offering).

(Leviticus 9:4)

In Leviticus chapter 9 verse four, we learned that along with the animal offerings, the elders were commanded to bring a meal offering with oil mixed in. Considering what we learned in Leviticus chapter 2 verse four this meal offering was likely brought as baked unleavened cakes.

At the end of Leviticus chapter 9 verse four, we learned that all of the animal offerings and all of the meal offerings were to be brought because (as Moshe says)

This means that the LORD would enter the holy of holies in the newly built, newly anointed tent of meeting in the Tabernacle.

(Leviticus 9:5)

In Leviticus chapter 9 verse five, we see that as the priests (newly ordained), and the elders brought forth their sin offerings and burnt offerings, the entire community of Israel came and stood in front of Moshe. Moshe then gives instructions to the entire community. The instructions, Moshe said,  should be performed so that

The instructions which Moshe gives in verse seven of chapter 9, are:

1. First for Aaron to come forward

2. Second for Aaron to offer the sin offering of himself and his sons, which is the bull, and

3. Third for Aaron to offer the communal sin offering.

In Leviticus chapter 4 verses 13 through 21 we learned that the communal sin offering is also a bull. As we learned in Leviticus chapters 1 through seven, these animal offerings would provide expiation through the fat of these animals turning to smoke.

This expiation of sins would allow the presence of Hashem to “appear to the people.“ Though a simple statement, this fact is very true. For, sin separates, but atonement draws near, allowing for the people to come close to their God and Ishi. The removal of sin unblinds the hearts of all Israelites, and thus enables us to see, know, and love our God, Hashem.

(Leviticus 9:8-14)

 Leviticus chapter 9 verses eight through 14. We read that Aaron performs the sin offerings of the priests.

First, he slaughtered the calf then Aaron and his sons brought the blood to Aaron. From our previous studies of Leviticus chapter 4, we can understand that this blood was brought to Aaron inside the Tent of Meeting.

We learn that with his finger, he would first dash the blood seven times on the curtain that covers the Holy of Holies, then he would place the blood on the horns of the altar. Also, according to our previous studies of Leviticus chapter 4, we know that this blood must be placed on the horns of the aromatic altar or the incense altar inside the tent of meeting, which is before the curtain that covers the holy of holies.

We then learn that the rest of the blood was poured out at the base. According to our previous studies (also of Leviticus four) we know that the blood was poured at the base of the burnt altar, which is outside the tent of meeting. The step that is missing that we learned about in Leviticus chapter 4 is that Aaron would have also sprinkled the curtain seven times with the blood of the sin offering.

These rituals with the blood of the sin sacrifice do not atone for sin. As we learned in our previous studies, the blood of the sacrifices cleanses the altars or the curtain so that when the fat is turned to smoke, expiation can be made. As such the blood cleanses and cleans, but it does not atone, though it is a necessary part of the set of atonement rituals.

After the rituals with the blood, we learned Aaron removed the fat, the two kidneys and the fat around them, the liver protuberances, and he turned them all to smoke. from our previous studies, we know that since these fat pieces came from the sin offering of the priests, the pieces were turned to smoke on the burnt offering altar. The remains of the bull would then be turned to smoke in a clean place outside of the camp (Leviticus 4:8-12). When these parts turned to smoke, then the full forgiveness of sin was granted by Hashem.

(Leviticus 9:11)

In Leviticus chapter 9 verse 11 we learn the flesh and the skin were burned outside the camp.

From our previous studies of Leviticus chapter 4, we learn that for the sin offering of the priests and the sin offering of the community, the flesh, the skin and all of the remains of the offering were turned to smoke in a place outside the camp. This place outside of the camp was considered a clean place which was also the place where the ashes were taken after being removed from the altar every day.

(Leviticus 9:12)

In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 12 we learned that Moshe slaughters the burnt offering.

We must pause here and note that Moshe seems to have offered the sin offerings before the burnt offerings. However, according to our previous studies, the sin offering is to be turned into smoke on the altar over the LORD’s offering by fire (or the burnt offerings). This we learned in Leviticus chapter 4 verse 35. We also learn in Leviticus chapter 6 verse two and verse six about the burnt offerings offered at night, which are to be left till morning and the burnt offerings offered in the morning. These are the twice daily burnt offerings of Exodus chapter 29 verses 38 through 46.

We know that Hashem cannot lie. But we also know that He has a habit of revealing the first thing second and the second things first. It would appear in this chapter that the things done first are listed second and the things done second are listed first.

So when Moshe discusses the sin offerings being burnt, and then the burnt offerings being given, it is likely that the opposite occurred. Meaning Moshe likely followed the order provided earlier in Leviticus, where in the burnt offering would be given, and then the sin offerings would be turned to smoke on top of them.

(Leviticus 9:12)

In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 12, we also learn about the burnt offerings.

Again, we learn that the blood was dashed on all sides of the altar. As we learned previously, this dashing of blood creates the Chet (ח) and leads to חי for Am Yisrael!

(Leviticus 9:13)

 In chapter 9, verse 13, we learned that the head and the sections were turned into smoke.

As we learned previously, the burnt offerings were all good. They did not atone for sin. They were offerings of thanks and well-being. Thus when the head is burned and turned to smoke, it  is a sign that Hashem is well pleased with His people. Indeed, it symbolizes that His Israelites are the head and not the tail.

(Leviticus 9:14)

In Leviticus chapter 9, verse 14 we read that the entrails were washed along with the legs, and then they were turned to smoke with the burnt offering.

This we learned about in Leviticus chapter 1, and Leviticus chapter 6. Though the entrails and the legs were the most unclean parts of the animal, when washed with water, they become clean enough to be offered as sacrifices. This is important because we learn later that when Jews become unclean if we wash with water, we will remain unclean until evening, but once evening falls, we will become clean.

(Leviticus 9:15-16)

In Leviticus chapter 9 verses 15 through 16 we learned that Moshe then offers the people’s sin offering.

This offering is listed as a goat. So, the people who Moshe is talking about is The Chieftains. We know it cannot be talking about the congregation because a congregation offering is a bull. But we learn in Leviticus chapter 4 verse twenty three that the sin offering for The Chieftains is a male goat.

(Leviticus 9:16)

 In verse 16 we again read that the burnt offering was brought forward after the sin offering. Again, this might be a situation where the second thing occurred first and the first thing occurred second.

The order given thus far of the sacrifices has been

• the sin offering for the priests (bull),

• the burnt offering for the priests,

• the sin offering for the Chieftains (goat) and

• the burnt offering for The Chieftains.

It is more likely that the two burnt offerings were offered together, and then the two sin offerings were offered together on top of the burnt offerings.

We also know that all of these rituals began on the eighth day. Thus, since a day starts in the evening, we know that they likely began at nightfall. Thus the burnt offerings were likely the nighttime burnt offerings with sin offerings offered on top. Meaning these offerings would’ve began at mincha time of the eighth day.

(Leviticus 9:17)

We then learn that after these four offerings in verse 17 of Leviticus chapter 9, Moshe brings the meal offering of the morning. According to the practices which we learned in Leviticus chapter 2, Moshe takes a handful of the meal offering and turns it into smoke. This handful is known as the token portion.

From our studies of Leviticus chapter 2, we know that this token portion would contain fine flour, oil, and all of the frankincense offered with it.

Reading the Hebrew, we learned that this meal offering is “HaMincha”. It is a special type of offering that is offered as a burnt offering. This meal offering does not atone for sin like the meal offering of a poor person does.

As we learned previously the differentiation between a sin offering and a burnt offering that is made of meal is the provision of oil and frankincense, which is only put on the burnt offering. The oil brought with the burnt offering, however, does provide the fat for the sin offering of the poor person because the poor persons meal sin offering is mixed with the burnt meal offerings. The burnt (well-being/thanks offerings) contains excess oil, which is absorbed by the poor man’s offering. Since it is fat turning to smoke that atones for sin, this donation/sharing of excess oil allows for the atonement of sin for the poor person.

Thus, we see the the True Jew Chesed of Hashem's Justice System.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Kimberly Davis