Overview: 7 inauguration days, and the final and 8th day
April 6, 2026·5 min
This episode of Daily Chumash is a text-based class focusing on the weekly Torah portion, specifically the inauguration of the Tabernacle. Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz delivers a solo educational lecture. He begins by summarizing the distinction between the seven days of inauguration and the final eighth day. During the first seven days, Moshe Rabbeinu acts as the officiating priest, while Aaron and his sons are the owners of the sacrifices. The rituals include preparing three types of meal offerings, dressing Aaron in priestly garments, and anointing the Mishkan, its vessels, and Aaron with oil. Specific sacrifices are offered, including a sin offering bull, a burnt offering ram, and a unique peace offering called 'elam iloyim.' Blood from this peace offering is applied to Aaron and his sons on their right ear, thumb, and big toe. The fat and thigh of this offering are burned on the altar, unlike standard peace offerings. On the eighth day, Moshe and Aaron serve together, initiating the regular daily service. Aaron brings a calf as a sin offering for himself, processed similarly to the sin offerings of the first seven days. The people of Israel bring additional offerings: a he-goat as a sin offering, a calf and lamb as burnt offerings, and an ox and ram as peace offerings, along with a meal offering. After processing all offerings, Moshe and Aaron enter the Tent of Meeting, and then bless the people. The episode notes that these offerings are in addition to the daily morning and afternoon sacrifices. The lecture methodically walks through the sacrificial procedures and priestly transitions as described in the Torah text.
