2021/5781
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. The Mishkan was finally completed, and the celebration had begun. Aharon and his children brought special Korbanot, and the joy of accomplishment permeated the camp of the Jewish Nation. Then tragedy struck. Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, decided to bring a strange korban Hashem didn’t command them to bring: “VaYikrevu Lifnei Hashem Aish Zarah Asher Lo Tziva Otam” (VaYikra 10:3).
The Netziv notes that Nadav and Avihu seemed to have acted with a deep and abiding sense of Ahavat Hashem when they went into the Ohel Mo'ed to offer Korbanot. It seems like they were fulfilling the Mitzvah given to Klal Yisrael of “Ve’Ahavtah Et Hashem Elokecha...”. If this is the case, how come Nadav and Avihu died if they were showing their love for Hashem? If anything we should rejoice over this?!
The Netziv answers in a way that helps us understand Ahavat Hashem. The Torah teaches us through the deaths of Nadav and Avihu that although Ahavat Hashem is precious in the eyes of Hashem, it was not viewed as such when it is pursued in this manner (i.e. without Hashem having commanded the offering of this Korban).
Furthermore, the fire mentioned earlier in the Parashah, when Moshe tells Aharon to approach the Mizbei’ach to atone Klal Yisrael for their sins. Aharon is acting out of true Ahavat Hashem to do good. But Nadav and Avihu may have been drunk and were demonstrating their “Ahavat Hashem” in an inappropriate manner. They were doing it more out of self-interest and self-pleasure at that point. Therefore, when they did this, they faced terrible consequences instead of rejoicing with the people.
At the end of the day, we all should love Hashem fully with our hearts and souls but we must do so in an appropriate way. We do this by doing the simple things we are commanded to do; put on Tefillin, Daven, make a Berachah, and respect our parents. When we can do those small things and through doing them love Hashem, we become great and able to rejoice like Nadav and Avihu thought would happen to them.