Parashat Shemini “Eighth“

Leviticus 9:1-11:47, 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17, Acts 5:1-11
Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh before the LORD as a wave offering, as Moses commanded. Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. (Lev. 9: 21-23)

What was missing for the manifestation of the glory?

In spite of Aharon having presented all the offerings for himself and for the people just as HaShem commanded Moshe, G-d’s glory didn't manifest when he lifted his hands to bless the people.

Then Moshe took his brother inside to the sacred place to be alone with him and HaShem. Then, when both came out and blessed the people together, the glory of the Eternal in the form of heavenly fire appeared before the people and consumed all the portions that were on the altar.

That manifestation was impressive. From that moment on, that heavenly fire replaced the fire that had been kindled by men on the altar and the priests would only have to keep it going by placing wood on the altar every morning.

In a way, G-d wanted to show us that a man's blessing wasn't enough for His glory to be manifested. The union between brothers had to be expressed in a practical way for that glory to be able to fall. This teaches us that practical love and unity among brothers is a condition for HaShem’s presence in the people and our families. There is a close relationship between unity among brothers and the manifestation of the Eternal's glory.