YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Achrei Mot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
The beginning of our double-Parsha of Acharei Mot – Kedoshim is quite puzzling: Why does it begin by saying, "Hashem spoke to Moshe," but never tells us what He said? And why does it say TWICE that Ahron’s sons died?
To try to solve this puzzle, we must try to understand why Nadav & Avihu perished. Contrary to popular opinion, they were not "sinners." While they did indeed commit a sin, they were, in actuality, righteous in the extreme. In fact, even Moshe says to his brother Ahron: "They were greater than you or I!" So what, exactly, was their sin?
Our opening pasuk hints to it: "They came close - too close, in fact – to Hashem," & so they got burned. They wanted so desperately to approach G-d that they "crossed the line" & went where no human, no matter how well-intentioned, should go. And so (according to various opinions) they added to the mandated offering; they brought it before its proper time; they became intoxicated; they had no children. All these indicate their overwhelming zeal to serve G-d, even at the cost of going beyond His dictates, & abandoning normal lives.
And so Rav Moshe Feinstein explains: Ahron was stunned into silence upon hearing of their death, as he experienced two, conflicting emotions: Tragedy at the loss of his sons, & great joy, knowing that they were tzadikim who would enjoy Heaven’s highest reward.
Now we can answer our initial questions. After the shock of Nadav & Avihu’s death – which came right in the midst of celebrating the Mishkan’s inauguration – Hashem "speaks" to Moshe. What, if anything, He said was actually irrelevant. G-d just wanted Moshe to know that He was still with us, that He still loved us & would not "turn His back" on us. Yes, these sons were dead – that fact is repeated to acknowledge the scope of the tragedy – but life & the Jewish People would still go on, despite the tears.
The message of all this hits home: We have now concluded this year’s commemoration of the monumentally sad "twin tragedies" of modern Israel, the death of the 6+ million in the Shoa, & the 22,320 fallen soldiers of the IDF who died Al Kiddush Hashem. We are terribly sad. But, despite our sadness, we know that Hashem still speaks to us, He still watches over us & loves us. He has not deserted us, & never will.
Acharei Mot Kedoshim, literally, "after the death of the holy," we will still move forward, devoted partners with the Divine in our march
towards Geula Shlema. – may it come soon.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
