This week’s Parasha is Shemini (“Eighth”), refers to the eighth day of the consecration rites of the Tabernacle. Since there are seven days in the week, what does it mean the “eighth” day? The seven days of the week follow cycle of the natural world. Eight, therefore, represents that which is beyond the world, the most sublime spiritual realm which defies any interaction with physicality.
The last Parasha “Tzav”, alludes to the first seven days of the inauguration of the Tabernacle. This week’s Parasha describes the last day of the inauguration. This eighth day merited a Parasha of its own because what the Torah is teaching us is that there is a fundamental incompatibility between “seven” and “eight”. “Seven” which is mundane, finite and physical cannot be mixed with “eight” which is infinite and Godly. There are things that happen in life which can never be explained or understood, we just have to transcend.
“Live a little higher”
