>> Torah portion

StS AC

C)S

L R Y

Grieving
In Silence

I

Parshat Shemini:
Leviticus 9:1-11:47;
II Samuel 6:1-7:17.

n last week's Torah portion, we read
about the ordination of Aaron and
his sons. This seven-day ritual cul-
minates in Parshat Shemini, with the
inauguration of the priesthood.
Aaron and his sons are installed as
spiritual and religious leaders of the
community The entire Israelite com-
munity comes together to celebrate the
entry of God's presence into the newly
consecrated Tabernacle, an earthly resi-
dence for Adonai.
This joyful dedication is disturbed by
the sudden death of Aaron's
two eldest sons, Nadav and
Avihu. This event is made
even more shocking by
the fact that their deaths
occurred while performing
their priestly duties.
What did Nadav and
Avihu do wrong? We learn
in Parshat Shemini that
the priests are required to
perform the rituals of their
position in accordance with
strict rules and regulations.
Maybe their deaths indicate
that not obeying God's exact command
results in a terrible fate.
However, commentators have long
speculated that perhaps these broth-
ers were not punished simply because
they offered the wrong kind of fire or
incense, but because of their motives.
Our ancient rabbis suggest that Nadav
and Avihu were overly determined,
plotting to be the leaders of the
Israelites after the deaths of Aaron and
Moses.
These early rabbis taught that Nadav
and Avihu conspired to remove Moses
and Aaron from their leadership posi-
tions by bringing their own offerings
to the Tabernacle, and hoping that
the Israelite community would be
impressed and therefore encourage
Moses to transfer authority to them.
According to this interpretation, the
brothers were punished for their desire
for power and position.
The famous Torah scholar, Rashi,
has a different perspective. He points
out that Nadav and Avihu did not fol-
low the carefully detailed instructions
for offering a sacrifice. Instead, they
decided themselves what to offer and
how to offer it. Rashi believes they

were punished for failing to follow
directions, for disregarding process and
for not consulting with the leaders of
the community about what they were
going to do. It was ultimately their
arrogance, and their belief that they
were not accountable to anyone that
led to their downfall.

Aaron's Loss

Whether it was because of their lust for
power, their arrogance or their failure
to seek advice, it is clear that Nadav
and Avihu suffered a ter-
rible punishment, and their
father, Aaron, suffered an
unimaginable loss.
Yet, following their deaths
Aaron remains silent. He did
not weep nor cry out against
God. He did not respond
when Moses offers a teach-
ing about God's intent. Was
he so disturbed by Moses'
words in this moment he
could not even reply? Or
perhaps, in Aaron's role as
high priest — dedicated to
God and to the worship of Adonai — he
realized that to cry out and complain
would contradict his entire being and
mock his role amongst the Israelites.
So instead, Aaron made the best
choice he could, remaining silent, as
to not offend God in this terrifying,
horrific moment. But I think that in
this silent moment we witness a deeply
human response. We see a shocked and
devastated man who has just lost two
of his sons. We see a mournful father,
seeking to comprehend the tragedy
that just occurred. And the Torah rec-
ognizes that, for just a moment, Aaron
needed to mourn silently.
These few verses of Parshat Shemini
are incredibly troubling. They provide
far more questions than answers. In
this Torah portion we are challenged
to understand Nadav and Avihu's mis-
steps, and God's motives.
And yet by examining and discuss-
ing this Torah portion and its commen-
taries, we learn a bit about the human
condition and the divine response.

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April 4 • 2013

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