APRIL 8 • 2021 | 33

When No Means No
W

hat a terrible 
tragedy. Nadav 
and Avihu, 
Aaron’s two sons, have just 
perished in the presence 
of their father, Aaron. At 
what should have 
been the high point 
of their careers, these 
two young men were 
killed by a heavenly 
flame as they brought 
an unsanctioned fire-
pan of incense into 
the confines of the 
Tabernacle. 
Why did this ter-
rible event happen? 
Some people say they 
were drunk, having 
partied all night in 
anticipation of the 
consecration of the Tent of 
Meeting. Others say that 
they were trying to usurp 
their father’s position. 
Perhaps the true answer is 
that they did not follow the 
ritual directions in the pre-
scribed fashion. The results 
were disastrous.
One of the basic prin-
ciples we learn in the sto-
ries of the Torah is that as 
much as God reaches out 
to humans and as much as 
people desire God’s inti-
macy, actual contact will 
be disastrous. God tells 
Moses when he asks to 
“know him” that no person 
can truly experience God 
and live. God destroys the 
construction of the early 
descendants of Noah who 
tried to build a tower with 
its head in the heavens. The 
Israelites are told that they 
can only approach Mount 
Sinai if they are properly 
sanctified; otherwise they 
will die. Proximity without 
preparation is fatal.
Keeping this principle 

in mind, let us look at the 
Book of Leviticus, Vayikra. 
It can be seen as an opera-
tions manual of the priests, 
the kohanim. It informs the 
kohanim who are learning 
about sacrifices, the laws 
of tumah and tohorah 
(two terms that are 
difficult to translate 
relating to the physical 
readiness to carry out 
rituals), holiness and 
holidays. The kohanim 
are reminded over 
and over again that 
they must perform 
their duties exactly as 
directed by God. There 
is no room for devia-
tion.
Nadav and Avihu 
had heard these 
instructions. They 
knew that absolute adher-
ence to the rules was essen-
tial. Yet they seemed to have 
forgotten what they had 
been taught and, as a result, 
they lost their lives. Some 
tragedies are unavoidable 
if one does not follow the 
approved directives.
If a worker on a construc-
tion site does not follow 
mandated safety protocols, 
a terrible accident may hap-
pen. If medical guidelines 
are not followed during 
a pandemic, sickness and 
even death may follow.
The story of Nadav and 
Avihu is one of the few 
narratives in Vayikra. Many 
would rather it be excised 
from the text. But this selec-
tion teaches an important 
message: No one, not even 
the most esteemed and priv-
ileged, can escape the con-
sequences of ill-conceived 
actions. 

Rabbi Mitch Parker is the rabbi 

at B’nai Israel Synagogue in West 

Bloomfield.

Rabbi 
Mitch Parker

Parshat 

Shemini: 

Leviticus 

9:1-11:47; 

II Samuel 

6:1-7:17. 

SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION

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Hands handle your Estate Sale needs. Your items can 
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Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation

changinghandsestates.com

3325 ORCHARD LAKE RD, KEEGO HARBOR, MI

248.481.8884

www.leshoppetoo.com

UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT & AUCTION HOUSE

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

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Hands handle your Estate Sale needs. Your items can 
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3325 ORCHARD LAKE RD, KEEGO HARBOR, MI

248.481.8884

www.leshoppetoo.com

UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT & AUCTION HOUSE

ICONIC 20th CENTURY FURNITURE, 
FINE-ART, HOME DECOR & LIGHTING

Support Local 
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TUES–SAT Noon–5pm | MON closed
SUN & evenings by appointment only

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