Rabbi Gershon Schusterman is the author of "Why God Why? How to Believe in Heaven When it Hurts Like Hell," which is out now. For 18 years, he led the Hebrew
Table for Five: Shemini
One verse, five voices. Edited by Salvador Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist
And Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting. Then they came out and blessed the people, and the Glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. -Lev. 9:23
Gershon Schusterman
Rabbi, Mashpia, Writer, Businessman
This event occurred on the inauguration day of the Tabernacle, AKA the Tent of Meeting, because that’s where the Jews encountered G-d. For the prior seven days, Moses
simulated the services, erecting and breaking down the structure daily, and doing the sacrificial service. G-d’s “Presence” was not expected. On the eighth, the inauguration day, there was one major change: Aaron led the actual service then and thereafter. But there was a problem: the Divine Glory did not manifest itself! The Jews were devastated! G-d’s presence in the Tabernacle which