By Harvey Sanders
We attach significance to numbers. This week’s scriptural reading is Shemini – which means eighth, referring to Moses calling Aaron and his sons to begin their priestly duties on the eighth day. But the number eight is common in our tradition. The Mishnah Torah teaches of eight levels of charity. Sukkot and Passover are each eight days long. The Passover song Who Knows One reminds us the Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) occurs on the eighth day of life. This Shabbat, as we prepare for Passover, we observe Shabbat HaChodesh, the Sabbath preceding the month of Nissan. Our calendar cycles with the moon and the new moon of Nissan is Monday night – meaning Passover is only two weeks later.
Turning back to the scripture, the eighth day followed seven days of consecration of the priests and the completion of the Tabernacle. On the eighth day, they began offering burnt sacrifices. Later, we read of the fire that consumed Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, when they brought a strange fire into the Tabernacle. These fire references remind me of another source of light and the number eight. When we think of creation, creation took six days, followed by Shabbat. But what of the eighth day after creation? There is a parallel to the first day of creation as we began the second week. On the first day, there was the separation of light and dark. At the end of the first Shabbat, the sun set and there is a midrash that God then showed Adam and Eve how to make fire. Our lighting of the Havdallah candle reminds of us this first instance of fire. On the first day, God created light. Now, as we begin a new week, we create light (as God taught us to do). In so doing, we continue God’s work.
Turning back to this week, we have another eighth to consider and yet another source of light. April 8th brings those of us in Buffalo the experience of a total solar eclipse. The Talmud suggests that an eclipse is a bad omen, but Rashi, the medieval French rabbinic scholar, quotes the prophet Jeremiah that we should “’Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven – when you carry out the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, you need apprehend no calamity.” The solar eclipse is truly a once in a lifetime experience. There hasn’t been one in Buffalo since 1925 and the next one won’t be until 2144. The moon – so important to our calendar – will totally cover the face of the sun. Plan carefully and take appropriate precautions when looking at the eclipse. Even if it is cloudy, we will experience nearly four minutes of total darkness in the middle of the afternoon. The Orchot Tzadikim, an anonymous book of Jewish ethical teachings from Germany in the Middle Ages, teaches:
when there is an eclipse of the sun or the moon, then he wonders exceedingly because this is not usual and customary …. Therefore, look upon them …. and let them appear as though you were blind heretofore and that now you have opened your eyes. Then, this will become most wonderous in your eyes. So must you do with yourself, every day, and thus did David say, “Wonderful are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
As important as sacred places – like the Tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem or our local synagogues – Jews observe the sacredness of time as much, if not more. This week provides us with an opportunity to mark a unique moment in time. May we continue to celebrate Shabbat, and our Holy Days like the upcoming Passover, with friends, family and community.
Harvey Sanders is a partner at Sanders & Sanders, a law firm specializing in labor and employment law. He is a Past President of Temple Beth Tzedek and currently serves on the Federation’s Board of Governors and co-Chairs the Buffalo Jewish Community Relations Council.
