Parshas Shemini Shabbos Times Erev Shabbos Shabbos Day Candle Lighting 5:32pm Latest time for Shema 9:34am Shkiya 5:50pm Shabbos Ends 6:30pm Short Vort for the Shabbos table Parshas Shemini recounts the eighth and final day of the inauguration of the Mishkan. On that day Aharon made his first appearance as the Kohen Gadol. Although hesitant at first, at Moshe's prodding he entered to perform the Avodah. He brought the appropriate korbanos, performed the related Avodah and blessed Bnei Yisroel. Nevertheless, he did not succeed in bringing the Shechinah down into the abode that had been created for this purpose. Rashi (Vayikra 9, 23) tells us that Aharon was sure that it was his involvement in the making of the golden calf that was preventing the Shechinah from descending into the Mishkan. He expressed his disappointment to Moshe, and Moshe entered the Mishkan along with Aharon and together they davened and successfully caused the Shechina to descend. Rav Wolbe (Shiurei Chumash) comments that the lesson to be learned applies to each and every one of us and on a daily basis. Bnei Yisrael spent many days and months building the Mishkan and crafting its vessels, and thereafter, the kohanim spent eight consecutive days in its inauguration. Yet, they were not successful in these most lofty endeavours until their actions were accompanied with Tefillah. So too, even when we toil greatly and invest much effort into our spiritual growth, we must not forget that Tefillah must accompany our Avodah.