What can children learn from Parshas Shemini?

Trust in Hashem: Aharon HaKohen accepted Hashem's ways even when they were very hard to understand. We can trust that Hashem loves us even when we do not see why things happen. Doing it Hashem's way: Nadav and Avihu meant well, but avodah must be done exactly as Hashem commands. We listen carefully to how a mitzvah is done, not only to whether we do it. Care with what we eat: Checking for a hechsher and making a bracha turn eating into a mitzvah. A child can be the one who checks the label.

Parshas Shemini for Kids

פרשת שמיני

On the eighth day the Mishkan begins its work, and a fire comes down. Then the simanim of a kosher animal, bird and fish - the signs a Yiddishe child learns to look for at the table.

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What happens in Parshas Shemini

On the eighth day, after seven days of preparation, the Mishkan begins its work. Aharon HaKohen brings the korbanos, lifts his hands and blesses the people, and then a fire comes out from before Hashem and consumes the offerings on the mizbeach. The whole nation sees it, sings out and bows down. On that same day of joy, Aharon's sons Nadav and Avihu bring a fire that Hashem had not commanded, and they pass away. Chazal teach that they were great tzaddikim, and that Hashem's house was made holy through those closest to Him. Aharon hears this and is silent, and Chazal say his silence was rewarded.

The parsha then gives the simanim of kashrus: an animal is kosher if it has split hooves and chews its cud, a fish if it has fins and scales, and the Torah lists the birds that may not be eaten. The Torah says these laws help us be holy, because what we eat is part of who we become.

Lessons and middos for children

Trust in Hashem
Aharon HaKohen accepted Hashem's ways even when they were very hard to understand. We can trust that Hashem loves us even when we do not see why things happen.
Doing it Hashem's way
Nadav and Avihu meant well, but avodah must be done exactly as Hashem commands. We listen carefully to how a mitzvah is done, not only to whether we do it.
Care with what we eat
Checking for a hechsher and making a bracha turn eating into a mitzvah. A child can be the one who checks the label.

Questions for the Shabbos table

How do you think the people felt when they saw the fire come down onto the mizbeach?
Aharon HaKohen stayed silent when something very hard happened. What can we learn from him?
What are the two signs of a kosher fish? Can you think of a fish that has them?
If a friend offered you a snack and you were not sure it was kosher, what would you do?

How your child steps into the story

Your child is in the courtyard of the Mishkan on the eighth day, standing among Bnei Yisrael as Aharon HaKohen blesses the people and the fire comes down, and joins the crowd in singing out to Hashem. Later your child helps look for the simanim of kosher fish at a stream, and the story ends wondering about the lessons of Parshas Tazria.