Parashat Shemini (Eighth)

28 Nisan 5785 / April 26, 2025
By Rich Birndorf

This Week's Readings:
Torah: Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17

Brit Chadashah: Colossians 3:23-25

I’m going to deviate for a moment from the text and its application to share on a more personal level. The past several weeks have been a challenge for me in that I’ve been looking for a new place to live, packing and unpacking, and generally feeling fatigued and overwhelmed. The consequence was a lack of quality time spent with G-d on a daily basis and the reading of His Word. Being responsible for preparing and sharing a drash encouraged me to get back on track. Equally important, the result of studying and praying not only hopefully produces the intended outcome of challenging and encouraging others, but also that I’ve encountered in this preparation is G-d speaking to me and furthering my own walk on a personal level. So, although hopefully all benefit from the challenge being brought forth, the intended result of what Rabbi Gliebe utters every Shabbat prior to those giving the drash, that to “share what you have learned” is applicable to me and others that have been blessed with this opportunity.

If we are to serve G-d effectively, we will need to know what he wants from us. In our service for Him, there’s often a basic understanding on how to do so. Other times, often when related to spiritual responsibilities, there may be a more specific process He demands of us, which will usually either be outlined in scripture or can be revealed to us through prayer.

In the Torah passage, G-d gave very specific instructions as it related to the sin and burn offerings. Why specifically He required offerings as He did is unknown, but we do know the entire procedure was very precise, involving the priest to make atonement for himself first and then for the people.

In this ritual, the priests were required to perform their duties specifically as described. Evidently Nadab and Abihu didn’t comprehend the gravity of the duty and offered fire in a manner not as directed by G-d, and the result was their demise, as fire from G-d consumed them. Perhaps they were drunk, as is suggested later in the chapter; regardless of the reason, they performed their holy duty in an unholy manner. 

The passage continues with the related concept of being set apart for Him, although not directly for the purpose of being in service for Him. Here the rules of Kashrut are discussed with the main idea of Israel being distinct from other nations, or set apart for Him. This was accomplished in a very tangible way: through eating that which was deemed to be clean, Israel would be considered holy unto G-d. 

Continuing on to the Haftarah portion, once again a blatant example of violating the prescribed manner of serving G-d and the disastrous consequences is illustrated. In Exodus 25, G-d commands that the ark was to be carried when transported, and then in Numbers 4 we learn that the sons of Korath are the ones charged to do so. However, in the 2 Samuel passage, we see that King David failed to do that which was previously directed and instead had the ark placed on a cart. During the transport, Uzzah grabbed the ark in fear that it would fall from the cart. Referring back to Numbers, verse 4 states, “But they must not touch the holy items, or they will die.” Uzzah, although perhaps meaning well, violated G-d’s ordinance. So, while the consequences of not adhering to G-d’s instruction in our service may not be fatal, it is still both important and necessary to serve Him rightly.

Although directed towards slaves, the relevancy of the Brit Chadashah verses, “Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the L-rd and not for people” applies to our work for the L-rd as well. “Whatever you do”, if that is being responsible for bringing forth a sermon to the congregation or cleaning dishes after the oneg, our commitment and effort should be consistent. The verse continues, “as for the L-rd and not for people”. Our purpose is to glorify G-d through our service, therefore, our focus needs to be on Him and doing what He has made known to us, rather than to please others. Even though our purpose should not be on receiving reward through our service, G-d nonetheless promises that it is to come, “for you know that from the L-rd you will receive the inheritance as a reward.”

Through studying the Parsha passages, we clearly see that G-d takes our service for Him very seriously. Those responsibilities must involve our best effort in knowing that we are doing the work for His kingdom. Of course, we shouldn’t limit our zealousness to our service unto G-d in the context of our efforts within the confines of the congregational settings, but at our jobs and throughout our day in whatever we do. This in particular is where G-d was speaking to me lately, as He often does while preparing a drash, that as a reminder during my workday I need to be cognizant of the reality that I must be giving my best effort continually throughout the day. But more specifically, although it’s important for my co-workers to know that I do my best at work, my ultimate goal is to accomplish all I do for His glory. So, my challenge to y’all is to consider that when you arrive at the synagogue each Shabbat and serve in whatever you do, are you merely doing what is required because Kyle included your name on the calendar, or are you giving your best effort, with joy, knowing that you are serving G-d? Also, does your mindset of providing excellent service continue throughout the week in all you do? If not, we need to focus on whom we are serving and how we can better do so.