The Torah selection of Shmini begins with the kohanim assuming their priestly office. The sacrificial offerings brought were of a comprehensive nature - including a burnt offering, peace offering, and sin offering. The blood of the sin offering was sprinkled on the horns of the altar. The organs of the sin offering were smoked upon the altar. The burnt offering and the meal offering were also presented. The breasts and the thighs were given as a wave offering. Aaron blessed the nation and the kavod, the glory of G-d, appeared before the people.

The Torah narrative shares the tragic deaths of the sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu. The Torah asserts they offered strange fire before G-d. As a quid-pro-quo punishment, they were consumed by divine fire. Our sages were deeply disturbed by the death of these two young men. The rabbis attributed their death to excessive pride, rebelliousness, and drunkenness. The response to Aaron to the loss of his sons is silence. The two other sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Itamar, are called to their priestly service. The young priests did not eat the sacred food in the sanctuary, perhaps out of fear they were not in a state of ritual purity.

Leviticus chapter 11 shares the dietary laws of Judaism, although the word "kashrut" is not mentioned. The acceptable animals are ones that both chew their cud and possess split hooves. The most detested animals are those that have one of these characteristics, but not both. Therefore, the camel, rock badger, hare, and pig are perceived as abominations. Because western cultures often ate pig, the pig became the best known of the unacceptable animals. Acceptable fish are those that have fins and scales. Birds of prey are prohibited. Swarming insects that have jointed legs below their feet, that do not leap, are also prohibited. Contact with an unacceptable animal spreads ritual impurity.

The Torah places the dietary laws in the context of "kedusha", of holiness. Holiness is associated with distinction and separation. Therefore, the observance of the dietary regulations creates Israel's unique spiritual identity - separate and holy from the nations.