Parashat Shemini describes the events that occurred on the day of the Mishkan’s inauguration, when Aharon and his sons served as Kohanim for the first time.

The Aruch Ha’shulhan (Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein of Nevarduk), in discussing the text of the daily Amida prayer, makes a fascinating comment, noting that on this day, when Aharon was appointed Kohen Gadol in the Mishkan, there was also another appointment made – in the heavens.

The context of the Aruch Ha’shulhan’s remark is the mysterious passage in the Beracha of "Retzeh" in the Amida prayer, in which we ask Hashem to accept our prayers as well as "Isheh Yisrael" – "the fire-offerings of Israel."

Even though we do not offer sacrifices nowadays, in the absence of the Temple, nevertheless, we pray Hashem should accept our sacrifices. The Tur explains that this prayer refers not to sacrifices offered in the Temple, but rather to the sacrifices offered in the heavenly Temple.

Citing the Midrash, the Tur writes that the angel Michael serves as the Kohen Gadol in the heavenly Temple, & offers on the altar the souls of the Tzadikim. When a righteous soul departs, his soul is offered as a sacrifice on the heavenly altar, bringing atonement for the world.

We thus ask Hashem to lovingly and compassionately accept the "Isheh Yisrael" – the souls of those righteous Jews who have departed our world, and are offered as sacrifices in the heavens.