Parsha Talk Shmini.Pirkei Avot 5786 2026i

Parsha Talk Shmini.Pirkei Avot 5786 2026i

From Kol Ramah by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

April 23, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Parashat Sh’mini and the beginning of Pirkai Avot, reflecting on their significance during Chol Ha-mo’ed Pesach.

Parashat Sh’mini [Leviticus 9-11] features the strange story of Nadav and Avihu, and the even stranger haftarah from 2 Samuel [6:1-7:17], as well as the levitical version of the dietary laws [there is a close parallel in Deuteronomy 14]. We found ourselves recording during Chol Ha-mo’ed Pesach, wondering whether we should talk about the parashah, or something else, since the last 2 days of yom tov are still in front of us. In addition to parashat Sh’mini, we also begin reading Pirkai Avot this Shabbat, and continue to do so for the remaining Shabbat afternoons before Shavuot. Some will continue reading Pirkai Avot until just before Rosh Hashanah. Pirkai Avot is a charming little book, unlike any other tractate in the Mishnah. We hope you enjoy our conversation! We would be curious to hear from you about your favorite mishnah in the tractate. In the meanwhile, both the United States and Israel continue to be at war with Iran. We keep close to our hearts the soldiers in the United States Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. And, we keep in mind, too, the innocent civilians everywhere, may they soon find a true measure of peace. Mo’adim…

Topics covered

  • Parashat Sh’mini
  • Pirkai Avot
  • dietary laws
  • religion
  • spirituality

Keywords

  • Nadav and Avihu
  • haftarah
  • dietary laws
  • Mishnah
  • soldiers
  • peace

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Deuteronomy, Pirkai Avot, Mishnah

Places: the United States, Israel, Iran

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