5785/2025
The first Pasuk in Parashat Acharei Mot states “VaYeDaber Hashem El Moshe Acharei Mot Shenai Bnei Aharon B’Karvatam Lifnei Hashem VaYaMutu”. Why does the Torah mention Nadav and Avihu’s death here? It seemingly isn’t relevant in this week’s Parashah!
Rav Jonathan Sacks suggests that the reason for Nadav and Avihu’s death being recounted here is to teach a message about excitement and Avodat Hashem. Rav Sacks suggests that a Diyuk can be made in the Lashon used to describe Nadav and Avihu’s sacrifice. The Torah refers to it as an “Aish Zarah Asher Lo Tzivah Otam”, a foreign or unauthorized fire that Hashem did not command them to bring. Their sin was that they did something Hashem didn’t command them to do. Despite their excitement and good intentions, it wasn’t what Hashem wanted. The reason the Torah repeats the fact that they died is to remind us that despite our excitement to serve Hashem, our service must come from what Hashem wants, and not what we think is right. This is especially relevant in Acharei Mot as we are atoning for our sins. We may want to do some lavish gift and atonement from our heart, but Hashem teaches us that it is improper. When fulfilling HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s commandments, we must stay by his command completely.
However, there are many occasions where the Torah doesn’t specifically outline what to do. What should we do in these situations? Rav Yosef Sonnenschein shared a beautiful idea: In Parashiot VaYakhel and Pekudei, after going through each part of the Mishkan, the Torah states that it was done “Ka’Asher Tzivah Hashem”, As Hashem commanded. Although, by the Chatzer, the Torah doesn’t say “Ka’Asher Tzivah Hashem”. Why not? Rav Sonnenschein explains that the Mishkan is a parable for life. Many cases arise where the Torah specifically outlines what to do. Here, we must follow the Torah, “Ka’Asher Tzivah Hashem”. This is the lesson of Nadav and Avihu. However, there are times when the situation is not specifically addressed by Hashem. In these cases, we must use our Torah values to guide us. Besides teaching us Halacha, the Torah teaches us how to live; by mimicking Hashem’s ways. We must take the Torah’s advice on how to live and apply its morals to situations not specifically mentioned in the Torah. The inside of the Mishkan represents the “Ka’Asher Tzivah Hashem”, the explicit commands. The Chatzer represents the cases outside of baseline Halacha, where we must take the Torah’s values and apply them.
May we all merit following Hashem’s commandments completely, and apply the morality and lessons of the Torah to the rest of our lives.