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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Shmini
Moshe assured the people that this was the day when Hashem would appear to them with His glory (Vayikra 9:4), as the culmination and indeed the raison d’être of the construction of the Mishkan (Shemot 25:8). The hopeful wait was not easy, as the construction process was followed by seven days when Moshe did the right service, while the shechina (Divine Presence) did not yet appear. Moshe explained to them that for the shechina to come, his brother, Aharon, had to assume the role of kohen (Rashi to Vayikra 9:23).
The humble Aharon hesitantly took up his post and did as he was commanded. After bringing the korbanot, he uttered a blessing, which Chazal tell us was the following: "Let it be His will to dwell the shechina in the work of your hands." In other words, Aharon was saying: "It is not my doing, but the work of your hands. The Mishkan will be the Divine dwelling place to the extent that you prepared a proper place for Him with the proper intentions - not to show off or to have a lovely edifice. It was crucial that you did everything ‘as Hashem commanded Moshe.’" This is representative of the general need to nullify one’s desire before Hashem’s and to understand that man is not capable of grasping everything that Hashem knows or does. Some things man must accept without questions but must lower his head in humble submission.
Indeed this worked, and the shechina came down to the Mishkan to the excited but awestruck nation. However, amidst the elation, a bitter pill had to be swallowed. In contrast to the idea of submission to the Divine Will, Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, had decided to take their troughs and bring forward a "foreign fire." This was the opposite of what was needed. Instead of a service of self-nullification, they decided on a path of self-expression. Instead of waiting for the fire to come from above, they brought their own fire, and indeed a fire came down to consume them.
Aharon’s turn came to practice what he preached and to accept fully Hashem’s decree without qualms. He was to continue his service without even showing the signs of mourning, as this was what was required of someone with his level of dedication. After Aharon succeeded in continuing in powerful silence (ibid. 3), he merited that Hashem spoke to him directly to teach him the laws he needed for his continued service.
This power of self-effacement and ignoring one’s self-interest when involved in serving Hashem is something that found expression in later leaders. The regular haftara of Shemini tells how David danced before the aron in a wild manner that could have embarrassed him (and should have, according to his wife, Michal) (Shmuel II 6:14). It is the willingness to give up oneself for Hashem that is the secret recipe to earning the privilege of leadership in Israel for the time and for posterity.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
