22 Mar PARASHAT SHEMINI- SACRIFICING FOR MISVOT

Parashat Shemini
tells of the events that
took place “on the
eighth day” – meaning, the day after the
sevenday Miluim
process during which Aharon and his
sons were prepared to serve as Kohanim. On this eighth day, Aharon and
his sons served as Kohanim in the
Mishkan for the first time. The Torah
introduces this section with the words
“Va’yehi Ba’yom Ha’shemini” (“It was
on the eighth day”). The Gemara in
Masechet Megilla comments that the
word “Va’yehi” is an expression of
“Sa’ar” (“anguish”), and is used as an
indication of tragedy or distress. In
this context, the Gemara comments,
the word “Va’yehi” foreshadows the
great tragedy that befell Beneh Yisrael on this day, as Nadab and Abihu –
Aharon’s two older sons – were killed
by a heavenly fire after they brought
an unwarranted offering. Although
this day began as a very joyous and
festive occasion, the Torah uses the
word “Va’yehi” in reference to this day
because of the tragedy that struck the
nation.
The Or Ha’hayim (Rav Haim BenAttar, 1696-1743) offers another reason why the word “Va’yehi” – an expression of anguish – is used in this
context. The Midrash teaches that
Moshe Rabbenu was to have served
as the Kohen Gadol. As the greatest
human being who ever lived, Moshe
was certainly capable of serving all
the different roles – prophet, teacher,
leader, guide and Kohen Gadol. However, this privilege was taken away
from him as a punishment for his initial refusal to approach Pharaoh and
demand that he free Beneh Yisrael.
When G-d first appeared to Moshe
at the burning bush and instructed
him to lead Beneh Yisrael to freedom, Moshe initially refused, and so
he was punished by being denied the
privilege of serving as Kohen Gadol.
Thus, Or Ha’hayim writes, the Torah
uses the word “Va’yehi” in reference to
the day when Aharon began serving as
Kohen Gadol. This was a day of great
pain and anguish for Moshe Rabbenu,
who understood the great importance
and precious value of the service in
the Mishkan and desperately wanted
to serve as the nation’s Kohen Gadol,
but needed to instead send his brother
to assume this lofty position. And thus
the word “Va’yehi” expresses Moshe’s
distress as he relinquished the exalted
position of Kohen Gadol to his brother. We can gain further insight into
the significance of this verse – and
the greatness of Moshe Rabbenu – by
noting the other time in the Humash
when we find the phrase “Ba’yom
Ha’shemini” – “on the eighth day.”
In next week’s Parasha, Parashat Tazria, the Torah mentions the obligation to circumcise one’s son on the
boy’s eighth day of life: “U’ba’yom
Ha’shemini Yimol Besar Orlato” –
“and on the eighth day, the flesh of his
foreskin shall be removed” (12:3). The
commentators interpret the phrase
“Ba’yom Ha’shemini” to mean that
a Berit Mila should ideally be performed early in the morning on the
eighth day, and not delayed until later
in the day. If so, then the term “Ba’yom
Ha’shemini” here in the beginning of
Parashat Shemini should be understood the same way – as indicating
that it was early in the morning on
this day that Moshe summoned Aharon and his sons and had them offer
sacrifices for the first time. As difficult
as this process was for Moshe Rabbenu, he did not delay it one moment
longer than necessary. At the crack of
dawn on the eighth day, Moshe assembled the people and had the newly-appointed Kohanim begin to serve.
Moshe was so selflessly committed to
serving Hashem, to fulfilling his role
without concern for his own feelings
and interests, that he rushed to have
Aharon serve in his place.
When it comes to performing Misvot,
we must put our own interests and
wishes to the side, and do what we are
required to do. Moshe’s inspiring example teaches us that sometimes we
need to make difficult sacrifices for
the sake of fulfilling Hashem’s will,
and we must be prepared to make
these sacrifices. Even when fulfilling
a Misva is challenging, we must embrace the challenge, as Moshe did, and
devote ourselves selflessly to the faithful service of Hashem.