LAMPLIGHTER
ZICHRON YAAKOV
PARSHAH IN A NUTSHELL
Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17; Numbers 29:35
A tenth of all produce is to be eaten in Jerusalem, or else exchanged for money with which food is purchased and eaten there. On certain years this tithe is given to the poor instead. Firstborn cattle and sheep are to be offered in the Temple and their meat eaten by the Kohen (priest).
The mitzvah of charity obligates a Jew to aid a needy fellow with a gift or loan. On the Sabbatical year (occurring every seventh year) all loans are to be forgiven. All indentured servants are to be set free after six years of service.
The portion then mentions the laws of the three pilgrimage festivals — Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot — when all should go to "see and be seen" before G‑d in the Holy Temple.
G‑d declares that the eighth day will be the festival of Shemini Atzeret, one bullock is offered, together with a ram and seven lambs. With each of the animals is brought the prescribed meal, wine and oil supplements: three tenths of an efah of fine flour, and half a hin each of wine and oil, per bullock; two tenths of an efah of flour and a third of a hin of each of the liquids for each ram; and one tenth and one quarter respectively for each lamb.
HAFTORAH IN A NUTSHELL
I Kings 8:54-66
The setting for the haftorah for the holiday of Shemini Atzeret is the dedication of the first Holy Temple by King Solomon. The dedication was a seven-day festive affair, which was immediately followed by the seven festive days of the holiday of Sukkot. And then, as we read in this haftorah, on the "eighth day" (i.e., Shemini Atzeret), Solomon sent the people off to their homes.
The reading opens immediately after King Solomon concludes a lengthy public prayer to G‑d. He then blesses the assembled Jewish people and encourages them to follow G‑d's will and observe the commandments—it is this blessing that occupies the bulk of the reading.
The King then inaugurates the Holy Temple by bringing various offerings: peace offerings, burnt offerings, and meal and fat offerings. And then, "on the eighth day he dismissed the people, and they blessed the King and went to their homes, rejoicing and delighted of heart for all the goodness that G‑d had wrought for David His servant and for Israel His people."
SAGES ON THE PARSHAH
If there will be among you a needy person, from one of your brothers in one of your cities... (15:7)
The poor of your city take precedence over the poor of a different city.
(Rashi)
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