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Parasha Shemini/Eighth
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
The Scripture readings for the Shabbat of March 29/25 Adar II are: Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47; Shemot/Exodus 12:1-20 (Parasha Hachodesh); Yechezkel/Ezekiel 45:16-46:18; II Sh'muel/Samuel 6:1-7:17; Messianic Jews/Hebrews 8:1-6. When religious practices contradict Scripture Eight days had passed since Moshe advised Aahron and his sons, at the command of the L-rd, to remain inside the Ohel Moed (Tent Of Meeting). The instructions were for them to sit at the door, but it is understood that what was meant was they were not to leave the premises. Their time in the Ohel Moed was most likely occupied with preparing for the future offerings that were going to take place. They were doing what we now call dry runs in preparation for the real thing. It was the eighth day and in the opening verses of this Parasha, the time of the sacrificing had arrived. Moshe therefore instructs bnei Yisrael (children of Israel) to bring their offerings. They were primarily sin offerings, for redemption and forgiveness. However that is not what I would like to focus on in Parasha Shemini. What interests me is what Moshe tells the community will occur as a result of their sin offerings: Vayikra {9:5} They brought that which Moshe commanded before the Ohel Moed: and all the Kahilah (Congregation) drew near and stood before HaSHEM. {9:6} Moshe said, This is the thing which HaSHEM commanded that you should do: and the Sh'khinah of HaSHEM shall appear to you. In other words what bnei Yisrael were about to experience were the power and the glory of G-d falling on them. A temporary infilling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and that is exactly what happened. Vayikra {9:23} Moshe and Aharon went into the Ohel Moed, and came out, and blessed the people: and the Sh'khinah of HaSHEM appeared to all the people. {9:24} There came forth fire from before HaSHEM, and consumed on the mizbeah the olah offering and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces. What we are seeing here is the Spirit of G-d descending upon the people in power and in glory. Now, just as it was G-d who closed the door of Noach's Ark, we now see Him kindling the first fire on the Mizbeah (Brazen Altar), which was to burn perpetually thereafter. What I find interesting about the event that took place here is not the offerings; it is not the appearance of the Sh'khinah of G-d, nor is it the fire that kindled the Mizbeach, it is the reaction of bnei Yisrael when the power and the glory of G-d fell on them. The Scripture tells us: ".... all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces." When the power of the L-rd came down upon the Kahilah of Israel they fell on their faces. Most reading this commentary should be familiar with the Pentecostal phenomenon of being "slain in the spirit." The principle behind it is that the power of the L-rd comes upon a person and they fall down in the spirit, to my observation always backwards. Although I have witnessed this phenomenon many times I have never experienced it myself nor have I ever found any Biblical reference to support it. In fact every Biblical reference concerning falling down when encountering the power and glory of G-d, is as the one above; they fall on their faces. King David who of all Biblical characters, experienced the power of G-d in his life throughout his career, never once fell backwards under the power of the Spirit, always front wards, also on his face. The only Biblical reference I could find where people possibly fell backwards in the Bible is in: Yochanan (John) {18.4} Yeshua therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom do you seek? {18.5} They answered him, Yeshua of Nazareth. Yeshua said unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. {18.6} As soon then as he had said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground. This Scripture however can hardly be taken as a confirmation of the phenomenon of being slain in the spirit. The people in these Scripture were coming to arrest Yeshua, the Spirit of G-d was therefore certainly not upon them in power and glory. Yeshua was also issuing a rebuke to this group of henchman, they were definitely not worshipers. Finally the text clearly states that they drew backwards and fell to the ground. It does not indicate in which direction they fell, neither left, right, front or backwards. What conclusion have I drawn from this? "When religious practices contradict Scripture, I would always rather error on the side of Scripture!"Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2003
- Romans 1:16, NIV |