1)

On what date did Yom ha'Shemini fall?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan`: On Rosh Chodesh Nisan. 1

1

See Ba'al ha'Turim.

2)

What is it the eighth day of?

1.

Rashi: It was the eighth day of the Milu'im. 1

1

Sifra: Not the eigtht day of the month ? since the Torah wrote in Tzav, 8:33 "Ki Shiv'as Yamim Yemalei es Yedchem".

3)

The 'Hey' in "ha'Shemini" implies that the day was a special one. In what way was it special?

1.

Rashi and R. Bachye #1: It implies that it was special - inasmuch as it took ten crowns - as listed in Seider Olam. 1

2.

R. Bachye #2 and Megilah, 10b: Hashem rejoiced on it to the same extent that He rejoiced when the world was created ? which we learn from a Gezeirah Shavah "Vay'hi" "Vay'hi Erev Vay'hi Voker". 2

1

Shabbos 87b: It was one of ten firsts: The first day ... 1. of the creation, ... month of the year, ... 2. of the inauguration of the Mizbe'ach at the hands of the princes, ... 3. of the Kehunah, ... 4. of the Avodah in the Mishkan, ... 5 that fire descended from Heaven to burn the Korbanos, ... 6. that the Kohanim ate Korbanos. ... 7. that Bamos were prohibited, ... 8. that the Shechinah descended to the Camp of Yisrael, ... 9. that the Kohanim blessed Yisrael. Moshav Zekenim - a hint to this is va'Yehi. The letters spell 'Yud Hayu' ... 10. the twelve months. See R. Bachye who lists them differently.

2

See R. Bachye who elaborates.

4)

?Vay?hi ba?Yom ha?Shemini Kara Moshe le?Aharon?. What is the significance of the eighth day? Why was Aharon not inaugurated on the seventh day of the Milu?im?

1.

R. Bachye #1 (in the introduction): Aharon was inaugurated specifically on the eighth day because the Kohen Gadol is unique (one) in the Beis-Hamikdash where he serves the One G-d, and the eighth day is day one of the next cycle. 1

2.

R. Bachye #1: Most of the issues concerning the Mishkan and the Beis-Hamikdash evolved round the number eight: 8 Bigdei Kehuah Gedolah, 8 ingredients of the Shemen ha?Mishchah, 8 poles of the K?lei ha?Kodesh in the Mishkan, the eighth day on which an animal may be brought as a Korban, and 8 types of songs that the Levi?im sang in the Beis Hamikdash. 2

1

See R. Bachye ibid. who elaborates on the significance of the seven days of the Milu?im before posing the question under discussion

2

See R. Bachye who lists all the eights and eplains them.

5)

Why was Aharon inaugurated on the eighth day and not on the seventh?

1.

R. Bachye #1: Refer to 9:1:3.1:1.

2.

R. Bachye #2 (end of introduction): Because the Kohen Gadol is unique in the Beis-Hamikdash in his service of the One G-d, and the eighth day after seventh has the status of one.

6)

?Kara Moshe le?Aharon u?le?Vanav?. Why did Moshe nned to call Aharon and his sons?

1.

R. Bachye (citing the Tanchuma): It was a call to greatness 1 ? to appoint him Kohen Gadol. 2

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because at the end of Tzav Moshe had said to them "Ki Shiv'as Yamim Yemalei Hashem es Yedchem", and those seven days had now terminated.

1

When Aharon asked him why, if Moshe erected the Mishkan, he (Aharon) should be the Kohen Gadol, Moshe replied ?Just sa you wer happy when I was appointed leader, so too am I happy that you have been appointed Kohen Gadol. See R. Bachye ibid.

2

his does not explain why he called Aharon?s sons.

7)

Why did Moshe call the elders of Yisrael?

1.

Rashi: He called them to hear that Aharon was entering the Kehunah Gedolah as per Divine instructions, and not of his own accord. 1

2.

Ramban: Refer to 9:3:1:2. 2

3.

Da'as Zekenim and Rosh: It was to raise Aharon's esteem in their eyes.

1

Preempting Korach's claim in advance. (EC).

2

See Torah Temimah, note 1 and Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborate.

8)

Why did the Shechinah not descend until the eighth day?

1.

Moshav Zekenim: Due to the principle 'Midah ke'Neged Midah'. For seven days, Hashem asked Moshe to go to Mitzrayim, and on the seventh day, Moshe said "send the one that You will send." Correspondingly, for seven days Moshe thought that the Kehunah is his 1 , and on the eighth day, Hashem told him to call Aharon. 2

1

Moshe knew that Bigdei Kehunah are for "Aharon u'Vanav"! Perhaps he thought that he himself may always serve without Bigdei Kehunah, just like he did during the Shiv'as Y'mei ha'Milu'im (PF).

2

See also Ba'al ha'Turim.

9)

Why did Moshe not call all of Yisrael?

1.

Moshav Zekenim: Because he wanted to mention to Aharon the episode of the Eigel, which he only wanted to do in front of modest people. 1

1

Moshav Zekenim: Nevertheless, he did not do so in private in order that Aharon should be shamed in front of them, and receive atonement.

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