Parsha:

Shemini 

Description

After the tragic death of Nadav and Avihu, Hashem directly speaks with Aharon and commands him that he and all future Kohanim should avoid entering the Mishkan while inebriated. This command concludes with an addendum - ולהורות את בני ישראל - "to instruct Bnei Yisrael" - and Haza"l understand that this means that any form of הוראה - Torah instruction - is not allowed when the one giving the ruling is inebriated. We explore the association of the Kohanim's worship with the role of a Torah instructor and examine Rambam's ruling, his finely tuned wording and his conscientious placement of this law in his code. This shiur was given in memory of our dear friend, a true אוהב תורה ואוהב ישראל, Rav Ronen Neuwirth z"l, who was tragically taken from us at the tender age of 50. יהי זכרו ברוך