G-d created the world in six days and on the seventh day He rested. What happened on the eighth day? This week's Torah reading comes to answer this question: "And it was on the eighth day, that Moshe summoned Aharon and his sons and the elders of Israel." (Leviticus 9:1) What was the occasion? The inauguration of the Tabernacle in the desert. The children of Israel completed the work of the Tabernacle on the 23th day of the month of Adar. The next seven days were called in Hebrew yamei miluim - literally - "days of filling." On each of these seven days Moshe would construct the Tabernacle in the morning and break it down in the evening. Despite being called "days of filling" G-d's presence did not rest upon and fill the Tabernacle until the eighth day, the day in which "Moshe summoned Aharon and his sons and the elders of Israel." Moshe instructed Aharon to make the initial offerings upon the altar, and this is what happened next:
"And Moshe and Aharon went into the Tent of Meeting. Then they came out and blessed the people, and the glory of HaShem appeared to all the people. And fire went forth from before HaShem and consumed the burnt offering and the fats upon the altar, and all the people saw, sang praises, and fell upon their faces." (ibid 9:23-24)
And just like that, the world that G-d created in six days, and desisted from creating on the seventh day, was given its final touch on the eighth day, by dint of the work and dedication, the faith and love of the children of Israel, who created for G-d a space in this world and invited His presence to enter the Tabernacle and fill our lives for all time.
This final tweak and polish and upgrade to G-d's perfect creation took the new born nation of Israel exactly one year to complete. G-d first addressed His children as the nation of Israel, whilst still in Egypt, saying, "This month shall be to you the head of the months; to you it shall be the first of the months of the year." (Exodus 12:2) This was the first day of the month of Nisan. Fourteen days later Israel walked out of Egypt, never to return, and exactly one year later, on the first day of the month of Nisan, marking one year as the nation of Israel, Israel inaugurated the Tabernacle, began the Divine service, and G-d's presence, the holy Shechinah, rested upon and filled the Tabernacle. Quite an accomplishment for the former forced laborers of Egypt. Quite an accomplishment for the sons and daughters of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
We are told, concerning the first Shabbat in creation, that "G-d blessed the seventh day and He sanctified it." (Genesis 2:3) We are later told that "on the seventh day He ceased and rested." (Exodus 31:17) And now we are told that on the eighth day, "the glory of HaShem appeared to all the people. And fire went forth from before HaShem and consumed the burnt offering and the fats upon the altar," as described earlier, "a pleasing fragrance to HaShem." (Leviticus 1:17)
How beautiful these days are to G-d: The sixth day, the day in which He completed the work of creation; the seventh day, the Shabbat, the day in which He rested, and the eighth day, the day in which His presence entered into His creation to reside and reign over His world forever. Why then, is the first day of Nisan (the eighth day in our count), not a holiday, celebrated each year as such?
The fact is, that every day that the Holy Temple stands, and the Divine service is performed, and the pleasing fragrance of the offerings rise up to heaven, is the eighth day. Every day G-d's presence renews creation, and every day, via the service in the Holy Temple, may it be renewed speedily, we make a place for G-d's presence in our world and within our hearts.
Tune into this week's Temple Talk, as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven draw the straight line from Pharaoh to Barghouti to the NY Times: the Dynamics of Hatred, discuss the transition from Passover to Shavuot, reflect upon the process of becoming human, and the counting of the Omer: telling the story of our lives and making every day count!
Back from the Passover recess, this week's edition of Temple Talk focuses on the intensely spiritual, cathartic experience of the days of Counting the Omer, a special commandment (Lev. 23) that aids in emotional growth and character development. During these days the Jewish people look forward with great anticipation to the giving of the Torah on the festival of Shavuot, and count seven complete weeks in preparation. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman discuss the spiritual implications of this amazing process. Plus: What does Pharaoh have in common with the New York Times? Why, a common desire to see Israel destroyed, of course! Tune into this week's Temple Talk for more!
On the very same day that G-d sends fire down from heaven to consume the inaugural offerings in the Tabernacle, He instructs Israel to eat only certain animals which are clean, and to not eat animals which are unclean. Why? By adhering to Torah's dietary rules we renew our ascent from Egypt every day, with every morsel. Click here to view Rabbi Richman's teaching on Shemini (Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47).
Sefirat Ha'Omer - Counting The Omer With Rabbi Chaim Richman: Nisan 25/April 21: Today Is Five Days Of The Omer: Please join us for the counting of the Omer, the Biblical commandment of counting forty nine days of the Omer. Click on our Facebook page every day to hear Rabbi Richman's mini-video teaching about the meaning of the daily Omer count!
Record Number Of Jews Make Their Way To The Temple Mount During The Seven Days Of Passover: 1,373 Jewish worshipers ascended the Temple Mount during the seven days of Passover this year. (The Mount was open to Jews during five of the seven days, four and a half hours each day.) This represents a 35% increase in the number of Jews on the Temple Mount during Passover one year ago. Click here to learn more and see photos.
390 Jewish Pilgrims Ascend The Temple Mount Of The Last Of The Intermediate Days Of Passover: Sunday, April 16th, the last of the intermediate days of Passover, saw 390 Jews ascend the Temple Mount. Click here to learn more and see photos.
Help To Build The Holy Temple In Our Time: Donate Generously To Help The Sacred Work Of The Temple Institute! Every contribution helps to rebuild the Holy Temple in our Time!
Interested in Ascending the Temple Mount? Contact us via our website, email us at infotempleinstitute@gmail.com or via our Facebook page. For more information on ascending the Temple Mount in purity, please click here.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 86: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem, and his mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah." (II Kings 18:2) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 85: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "Then Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war, and they besieged Ahaz, but could not wage war [with him]." (II Kings 16:5) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 84: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was proper in the eyes of the Lord his God like David his father." (II Kings 16:2) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 83: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok." (II Kings 15:33) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 82: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem, and his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem." (II Kings 15:2) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 81: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "And they carried him on the horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his forefathers in the city of David." (II Kings 14:20) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Celebrating Jerusalem’s Jubilee Year: Verse 80: Jerusalem In The Bible!: "And they carried him on the horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his forefathers in the city of David." (II Kings 14:20) Click here to see a beautiful full-sized photo.
Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem,
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
www.templeinstitute.org
