PARSHA & PROSE: TORAH PORTION, SHMINI & 'MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING' (Audio/Visual)

Please, view/listen to this very compelling episode of PARSHA & PROSE with RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA. Here you will learn how Rabbi Gemara ties the Torah portion Shmini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47), with its narrative of the Tabernacle’s inauguration, the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, and the laws of kashrut, into Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, which explores finding purpose in life’s highs and lows. You will hear how in Shmini, the divine fire that consumes the offerings (Leviticus 9:24) reflects moments of transcendent meaning, akin to Frankl’s belief that purpose can emerge in awe-inspiring experiences. Yet, the sudden loss of Aaron’s sons (Leviticus 10:1–3), met with Aaron’s silent resilience, mirrors Frankl’s insight that “suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” The kashrut laws (Leviticus 11) further align with Frankl’s view of meaning as personal and specific, as they guide Israel to holiness through deliberate choices. Through Shmini, we see that meaning arises not only in joy and obedience but also in navigating tragedy and discipline, echoing Frankl’s call to choose one’s attitude and purpose in every circumstance. This is a most fascinating episode of PARSHA AND PROSE. Enjoy, comment and subscribe.