It was on the eighth day of the service of Aaron and his sons that YHWH's glory filled the tabernacle. Fire came down and consumed their sacrifices, and the people bowed down and worship.
Unfortunately, soon after, two of Aaron's sons offered incense in a way different from how YHWH had prescribed -- and fire came out from YHWH and consumed them!
YHWH points out that Aaron and his sons would forever have the job of distinguishing "between
the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that YHWH has spoken to them by Moses" (Leviticus 10:10-11, ESV).
The Apostle Peter wrote to first-century believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire, and he said,
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:9-12, ESV).
In this week's Torah portion, we start an extended series of instructions on how to be holy and clean.
If you are new to Torah, you will want to pay special attention to these instructions. Many have been kept by Christians for centuries -- but many other commands have been ignored.
Sometimes reasons for obedience are given by God, but usually the only reason is, "Be holy for I am holy."
Leviticus 11 is especially important as it discusses what foods we may eat and which ones are an abomination. You will also read that if an unclean carcass is touched, your clothes must be washed, and
you'll also read how to clean various dishes and utensils that come into contact with unclean things. Your children can start to learn why good hygiene is important and exactly how to do it.
Do we need to follow these laws if we are not able to enter the Temple? I believe we should for two
reasons:
1. YHWH never said that these laws only applied to entering the Temple. All of His people, in every place, should wash their clothes if they touch an unclean carcass, and none of us should eat things which He considers an abomination.
2. We are
praying for a new Temple to be built when our Messiah returns, and as members of His holy priesthood, we need to teach His laws and decrees to our children so that they will know how to obey Him properly.
Be sure to check out the wonderful websites and resources referenced in this week's Torah portion download!
