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

3)

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

1.

Rashi: It was special inasmuch as it took ten crowns - as listed in Seider Olam (and in Shabbos). 1

2.

Megilah, 10b: Hashem rejoiced on it to the same extent that He rejoiced when the world was created

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 theAvodah in the Mishkan, ... 5 that fire descended from Heaven to burn the Korbanos, ... 6. that the Kohanim ate Korbanos. ... 7. day 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. of the twelve months.

4)

Why did Aharon and his sons need to be called?

1.

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.

5)

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.

6)

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.

7)

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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