In this week's parsha, we see the sudden and disturbing death of two of Aaron's sons, Nadav and Avihu. In exploring the text more closely, what earlier Tanach story shows parallel themes and language to this story, and what is the meaning behind this connection? Did Hashem reject Nadav and Avihu?
According to Rav Merrill, the phrase "as Hashem commanded Moshe" is redundant in Parshat Pekudei. Perhaps this message is what Nadav and Avihu neglected to hear. A purpose of the mishkan was to atone for the sin of Chet Haegel, which is where Bnei Yisroel decided to serve Hashem in their own personal way. Similarly, Nadav and Avihu choose to serve Hashem in their own personal way here, which went against what Hashem commanded. Nadav and Avihu's mistake was that they brought back the same thought process that they had during Chet Haegel.
Did Hashem reject Nadav and Avihum
ReplyDeleteNo. They became too haughty, so Hashem was forced to punish them.
The Gemara states: "Moses and Aaron were walking along, as Nadav and Avihu were behind them, and all of Israel behind them. Nadav said to Avihu, "When these two elders die, you and I will lead this generation." God said to them "Let's see who buries whom." (Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 52a)
The picture which emerges from this source is that of a pair of individuals who allowed their position to get the best of them.
The Sforno says Nadav and Avihu were not rejected by Hashem, rather they were punished for deciding a torah law, without asking their teachers opinions (Moshe and Aaron). This can be seen in the text: the pasuk says,
ReplyDelete"...they brought before God a strange fire which they had not been commanded to bring..."
At first one would think that this means God had not commanded them, but the Sforno explains that Moses had not commanded them to bring the offering, implying that their sin was in not asking Moses.
According to Rabbi David Fohrman, Nadav and Avihu tried to become too close to Hashem and failed, which could have been prevented if they had just listened to Hashem.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Levi teaches that Nadav and Avihu were extremely conceited. It is said in the Midrash Raba that many women eagerly awaited them and wished to marry them, yet Nadav and Avihu said, "Our uncle is the King, our other uncle is a head of a tribe, our father is the Kohan Gadol, and WE are his two assistants. What woman is worthy of us?'". This idea makes Nadav and Avihu sound self absorbed and conceited, which makes it seem that they would be unfit to be holy leaders.
ReplyDeleteRashbam says that the fire that Nadav and Avihu took wasnt necessarily "foreign", but it was given at the wrong time. Unfortunately, the day that Nadav and Avihu gave this korban was NOT day that HaShem was entering to see Bnei Yisrael. So by Nadav and Avihu giving this Korban at the wrong time, this detracted from HaShem's miraculousness. They were defiling the Mishkan
ReplyDeleteAccording the a midrash, Hashem was close to Nadav and Avihu, but was worried if he did not punish them it would give off the impression on Bnei Yisrael that he was lenient.
ReplyDeleteThe Midrash lists several reasons why Nadav and Avihu were punished. One was that they did not marry. In addition, the Midrash says that they "would walk behind Moshe and Aharon and say: When will these two elders pass away, so that we can lead the generation?" The Vilna Gaon explains that these two reasons are connected. If Nadav and Avihu had wished not to marry because they wanted to study Torah undisturbed, that would have been fine. However, since they followed Moshe and Aharon, waiting to become the leaders, it was clear that they were not intending on studying Torah.
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ReplyDeleteOur first reading would have implied that God had not commanded them, but the Sforno explains that Moses had not commanded them to bring the offering, implying that their sin was in not asking Moses.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Hashem kill Nadav and Avihu? This question relates so much to our own connection with Hashem today. The Sforno explains that Nadav and Avihu’s sin was that they got carried away in their exultation of Hashem’s greatness that they gave an incense offering that was not commanded by Hashem. Nadav and Avihu decided to create their own commandments, and made a statement of it which was punishable by death.
ReplyDeleteNadav and avihu's sin wasn't that they brought the Korban "illegally" it was that they were not commanded by Moshe (they didn't ask him first). Sforno says that hashem did not reject them, rather they were punished for deciding on a Torah law without asking their leaders', Moshe and Aaron, opinions.
ReplyDeleteHaShem killed nadav and avihu because of looking at the Divine Presence on top of Mt. Sinai all the way back at the end of Parashas Mishpatim, and, as the Talmud says, their grave sin of teaching law while in the presence of their master, Moshe.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteA source identifies their downfall with their deciding a Torah law in the presence of Moses and Aaron, without asking the opinion of their teacher. This can be seen in the text:
...they brought before God a strange fire which they had not been commanded to bring...
Our first reading would have implied that God had not commanded them, but the Sforno explains that Moses had not commanded them to bring the offering, implying that their sin was in not asking Moses.