Shmini

On the eighth day, after the seven days of ordination, Aaron begins his service: a sin offering and burnt offering for himself, then the people's offerings, "for today the LORD will appear to you." Aaron lifts his hands and blesses the people; Moses and Aaron enter the tent and come out and bless them again — and the glory of the LORD appears to all the people. Fire comes out from before the LORD and consumes the offering on the altar, and the people shout and fall on their faces.

Then, in the middle of the joy, Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu each take his fire pan and offer strange fire, which God had not commanded — and fire comes out from before the LORD and consumes them. "Through those near Me I will be shown holy," Moses says; and Aaron is silent. The bodies are carried outside the camp; Aaron and his remaining sons are told not to mourn openly or leave the tent, and the priests are forbidden wine and strong drink when they enter — set apart to distinguish between holy and common, unclean and clean, and to teach. When Moses discovers the sin offering burned rather than eaten and grows angry, Aaron answers — after such a day, would eating it have been good in the LORD's eyes? — and Moses is satisfied.

The portion closes with the dietary laws. Land animals with a fully split hoof that also chew the cud may be eaten; the camel, hyrax, hare, and pig — each meeting one condition but not both — may not. Water creatures require fins and scales. The forbidden birds are listed by name; winged swarming things are forbidden except four kinds of locust. Touching carcasses brings uncleanness until evening, with detailed rules for vessels, ovens, seed, and springs, and the eight swarming creatures whose carcasses defile. The reason is stated at the end: "Be holy, for I am holy."