By Shalom Olensky
This week in the Torah:
After Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons perform the Priestly service in the first Mishkan (portable Sanctuary) ever, for seven days, the Divine Presence then descends and reveals itself there through the Priestly offerings on the eighth day. For this reason, the Torah for this week (and the next two weeks, as we repeat it until the first Sabbath after Passover) is entitled “The Eighth.”
Question:
What is significant about the eighth day in particular? In fact, from the fact that it is called “the eighth” is implied that the first seven are a major part in the series. For, the eighth, by definition, must follow the preceding seven. So why is the eighth so paramount?
Question:
Another significance which is given to the number eight is the fact that the Mitzvah of circumcision occurs on the eighth day of a newborn boy’s life. The same aforementioned questions apply here. Indeed, emphasis is made on the fact that before the baby is circumcised, he must experience one Sabbath. Sabbath represents the greatness of the number seven in that “On the seventh day He rested.” Why then is the Mitzvah of circumcision postponed to the eighth day?
Preface:
At the circumcision, it is customary for the Mohel to recite verses that declare the praise for those whom G-d allows to dwell in His “Courtyards [the roofed one and the unroofed one]”, His “House”, and His “Chamber.”
According to Kaballah, this refers to the four main “worlds” which extend forth from the four-letter name of G-d in the Torah. In a person’s spiritual service, this represents the four main stages of subjugating oneself to G-d.
Explanation:
We the recite the aforementioned verses at the circumcision because before reaching circumcision, – “the eighth” – all levels of gradual progression of spiritual ascent must be achieved. Including the seventh – Sabbath – which is the highest of them all but still maintains a connection to nature: Although on Sabbath “He rested,” i.e., a transcendence above the natural world order, this still brought rest, comfort and peace to the world, which shows how the Sabbath is connected to nature, although above it.
When that is reached, we can receive the “eighth” realm, a realm that completely overrides the cycle of nature and allows for the truest connection with G-d – on His terms, from His perspective and completely beyond nature and limitation.
Hence:
The Mishkan which served as “G-d’s place” here on Earth, a dwelling for G-d’s very Essence, from His perspective and from His Infinity, was filled with His Glory specifically on the eighth day.
A Lesson:
In order to truthfully reach a mode of Divine service that completely transcends one’s limitations, one must first serve G-d to the best of one’s own ability, albeit limited. E.g. fixing one’s actions, speech, thoughts, emotions and character traits and mind. This is represented by the number seven. Then G-d will grant perfect union with the Divine – to serve G-d beyond one’s limitations.
(Based on Chassidic Discourse Ashrei Tivchar—5716, and Likkutei Sichos Vol. 3, Shemini)
