Stand and Inspire: Wisdom from Parashat Shmini 🌟

Published: Tue, 04/22/25

Updated: Fri, 04/25/25

They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”

Leviticus 9:5-6

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, April 26th, is Parashat Shmini. This week’s reading, Shmini, is a continuation of the previous week’s reading, Tzav, where we learned about the Tabernacle‘s seven-day inaugural ceremony. This week’s reading opens on the eighth day, when G‑d‘s presence descends upon the Tabernacle. On that day, Aaron‘s sons Nadab and Avihu die when offering an uncalled-for incense sacrifice. The portion concludes with a discussion about the laws of Kosher and ritual purity.

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Shmini, and share your thoughts with us!

Our good friends at ETRFI, including their new president Professor Brad Young, are hosting a fascinating lecture, we heartily recommend it! Learn more below!

Participate in our enlightening lesson Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Free Will and Gods Power. Watch it below.

Take part in the inspiring lesson Mezora with Teacher Sondra Baras. Learn more below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Hutch have to share.

Gidon's Perspective on the Jewish Community of Hebron and Its Historical Struggles - Interview with Paul Calvert. Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Judean Desert, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Shmini

Moses gathers all the Jews to the Tabernacle to witness the Divine presence descending upon the Sanctuary on that day. Aaron offers various sacrifices in preparation for this revelation. After concluding the offering of all the sacrifices, Aaron blesses the people with the priestly blessing. Moses and Aaron bless the Jewish people that G‑d’s presence dwell in their handiwork, and, indeed, the Divine presence visibly descends upon the Tabernacle.

Parashat Shmini: Transcending Rationalization: The Mystery of Torah's Distinctions

The tension between the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws) and understanding the Torah centers on a fundamental question: Why these specific laws, and how should we approach them when their rationale isn’t immediately clear?

Learn here

ETRFI WEBINAR - 28 April 2025 with Professor Dr. Lawrence Schiffman

Please do not miss this Webinar on Monday April 28, 2025, at 8:00 pm Jerusalem time. Mark your calendar and set the alarm on your phone. After the lecture, you will be able to ask questions and hear more from Dr. Schiffman.

Mezora

Join us for Lesson Mezora, which covers all the laws of purification resulting from childbirth and particularly from leprosy. In the 'Shabbat Shalom: Portion of the Week' series, with the insightful teaching of Sondra Baras.

Learn here

Free Will and Gods Power

The Exodus is not simply a classic story of a nation of slaves escaping to freedom. The Exodus is the story of God's intervention in the world to demonstrate that there is no power, neither human or natural, that compares in any way to the power of God.

Learn here

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Hutch - April 2, 2024

Gidon and Hutch discussed the upcoming Passover holiday, and its religious significance, as well as the traditions and customs of Passover. Further, they touched on the celebration of Passover, potential challenges to observing religious practices, and the significance of the red heifers in Judaism.

Watch the video

Gidon's Perspective on the Jewish Community of Hebron and Its Historical Struggles - Interview with Paul Calvert

Paul Calvert interviews Gidon Ariel at the Hebron Jewish Community Visitors Center, also known as the Gutnick Center. Ariel discusses the history of the Jewish community in Hebron, one of the oldest Jewish settlements in Israel. He recounts how Jews lived peacefully alongside Muslim Arabs until the 1929 Hebron massacre, during which over 66 Jews were killed. This tragedy, part of widespread violence across Israel, led to the British Mandate authorities exiling the Jewish community from Hebron.

Watch the video

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Ruth, has a comment on this blog post

"What a blessing to connect to your web site and teaching on the Blood Moons."

Judean Desert, Israel

Enjoy this photo of Judean Desert, Israel by Fabienne Sypowski-Meyer

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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