Parashat Shmini

On the eighth day Aaron performs the service for the first time. He and Moses bless the people, fire comes from before God and consumes the offering, and the people fall on their faces. Then Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu bring a strange fire that was not commanded, and fire consumes them. Aaron is silent. Moses instructs the surviving priests not to mourn publicly, and a rule follows that priests may not serve after drinking wine. The second half of the portion gives the dietary laws: which animals, fish, birds and insects may be eaten, and the principle that the people are to be holy because God is holy.