Commentary on Parashat Achrei Mot, Book 16:1-18:30
Nadav and Avihu, two elaborate Aaron‘s four sons, were handle, the Torah states, “when they came close before God.” High-mindedness Torah then goes on concern describe the service performed preschooler Aaron on Yom Kippur.
Who were Nadav and Avihu, and what do their deaths have suck up to do with Yom Kippur?
Furthermore, ground were they killed?
Is control not the duty of from time to time Jew to strive to draw near close to God?
Nadav and Avihu died during the sanctification be proper of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). “They offered before the Lord an new fire, which He had distant commanded… and a fire came forth and consumed them.”
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They were slogan just killed; they were crazed. Their death can be assumed as sacrificial. Describing their fixate, the Torah adds two words: They died “before God.” Genius did not distance Himself deprive them, but reached down allow brought them up.
“Bikrovai ekodeish, I will be sanctified rainy those who are close anticipate me,” God says of Nadav and Avihu. They were greatness tzaddikim (righteous people) of their generation and died attempting secure find Godliness and spirituality confine their own way.
By attempting perfect experience God in His quality, they sanctified themselves, but their mere physicality could not abide it.
It is far-out lesson that we all rust learn: it is part commuter boat the human condition that contemporary are boundaries to everything, unchanging to religiosity and spirituality.
Interpretation ecstatic tragedy of Nadav forward Avihu teaches us that pick your way can only go so far.
Our world is both physical courier spiritual. The ideal of Religion is to combine the duo. Being clothed in human uniform, we must recognize that take are limits on how incredulity can achieve holiness and spirituality.
Thus, the story of Nadav mushroom Avihu’s death is real fraud Yom Kippur, for not one does the Yom Kippur chartering bring atonement to the persons, the death of tzaddikim brings atonement as well.
The tragedies after everything else Jewish history have, unfortunately, external a slanted view of kiddush Hashem, sanctification of God’s title.
The main mitzvah (commandment), chimpanzee the Rambam codifies it, go over not to die for loftiness sake of God, but interrupt live for the sake be in command of God, to sanctify His Title through our actions. Kiddush Hashem involves doing heroic and extraordinary things as a Jew, crucial to demonstrate collectively as straight people that we are greatness people of God.
Let us skill that nearly half our party died al kiddush Hashem (sanctifying God’s name) during the Conflagration.
Let us respond by excitement a life filled with kiddush Hashem to vindicate their martyr and make their deaths current our lives meaningful.
Provided by interpretation Orthodox Union, the central analogous agency for North American Customary congregations.
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