SheminiEighth — שמיני
For the week of April 10, 2021
- TORAH: LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47
- HAFTARAH: 2 SAM. 6:1-7:17
- GOSPEL: MATTHEW 3:11-17
Portion Summary
Shemini is the twenty-sixth reading from the Torah and third reading from the book of Leviticus. The word shemini (שמיני) means “eighth,” and it comes from the first words of Exodus 9:1, which says, “Now it came about on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel” (Leviticus 9:1). The text goes on to describe the events of the eight day after setting up the Tabernacle, a phenomenal worship service followed by a tragic incident. The reading concludes with the biblical dietary laws regarding animals fit for consumption and prohibitions regarding those that are unfit.