My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Sh'mini
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on April 14, 2009 | Tags: Shmini
In many ways Judaism is a religion of moderation. Parshah Sh'mini makes clear we are permitted, even encouraged, to partake of some things, while others are forbidden. We are allowed to eat beef and poultry and fish, but we are not creatures of prey who feast on anything we find. Indeed, such creatures are forbidden us. The same may be said of wine. Where some ascetic religions bar the use of intoxicants, and other creeds seek to induce visions through them, we walk a middle path. Psalm 104 tells us wine "cheers the heart," and we have four glasses at our Seders, but there's a time and a place. Aaron is told by God, "Drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you enter the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die." (Lev. 10:9) When it comes to performing priestly rituals, Aaron and his sons (and, later, the kohanim) are to have their faculties about them. Except on, say, Simhat Torah, we save our "l'chaims" for the Kiddush and focus on the solemn business at hand during the service.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
