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While numerous reasons are given for their deaths, they can all be summed up by the first pasuk in our reading, B’karvatam lifnei Hashem, vayamutu. They came (too) close to G-d - & they died. All their actions were intended to add to the prescribed offering; entering the Mishkan when it was not called for; getting drunk; even refraining from having children, so that they could devote themselves 24/7; all these were done in an effort to supercharge their spirituality & come closer to the Almighty.
But how do we reconcile Nadav & Avihu’s fate with the opening pasuk of our second Sedra: "Kedoshim tihyu, ki kadosh ani Hashem Elokeychem; Be holy, for I, G-d, am Holy." If Hashem wants us to be kadosh/holy, a word which means, "to separate ourselves for a higher purpose" - then isn’t this exactly what Nadav & Avihu did?! So why were they punished?
I want to suggest that Nadav & Avihu were not so much punished, as they were the victims of their own actions. They took so much upon themselves, they so overloaded their circuits with such massive spiritual energy, that the whole system broke down, & they experienced burn-out. They came too close to the Heavenly fire &, despite their good intentions, their wings got singed & they crashed.
There is a profound lesson to be learned here. G-d surely wants us to get close to Him, to come under His wings & within His protective force-field. But if we get too close, if we cross the Divine line into the "red zone," we risk losing everything & plummeting into the depths of despair, or worse. And if we take the law into our own hands - deciding for ourselves, rather than reacting to the will of Hashem and doing what He wants us to do - than the gain is swallowed up by the loss.
This message is a timely one for our present situation. We want, of course, to pray communally, in minyanim - and the more the merrier, as we generally hold by the principle of "B'rov am, hadrat Melech," the larger the gathering, the more it honors the monarch. And we want to learn together as a group, in shiurim where we can share with others around us. But if this endangers our lives - and the lives of others - than we have to step back, and follow the directives of our spiritual leaders, who (hopefully!) follow the advice of the medical experts to contract our public activities and thus safeguard our lives.
Any competent doctor will tell you that prescriptions are carefully calibrated to bring relief from illness. If you are prescribed to take 2 pills, but instead you take 4 - assuming that you will now receive twice the relief - the exact opposite may result. Kedusha, the ultimate form of spiritual medicine, is sometimes best consumed in small doses.
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?
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
