Dear Friends,
Sometimes, confusing and complex occurrences happen, and we just cannot understand the rationale behind the episodes.
The war with Iran for the last six weeks is one such occasion. I am still at a loss to understand what was the reason for the war, even though I have heard many rationales posited by the American government. It is just not universally and unequivocally understandable, at least to me.
Such is the case in this week’s Torah portion, as well. And, clear explanations for the conflagration in the Torah have been just as elusive for 2000 years.
Her is the scene: Aaron, Moses’ brother, was about to be consecrated as the High Priest in an elaborate ceremony. Aaron had offered his requisite sacrifices, cleansed and prepared himself, and wa about to come forward for his anointing. Then, the following occurred:
“Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before GOD alien fire—which had not been enjoined upon them. And fire came forth from GOD and consumed them; thus they died by GOD’s will.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
So, why did God summarily execute Aaron’s two eldest sons, on the very day – the very moment – when their father was about to become Israel’s first High Priest?
Some commentators explain that this was done because the sons overstepped their bounds and prematurely did their father’s work.
Others explain that the fire which the sons offered was “alien,” meaning unholy, and thus they were idolatrous in some manner, and must be executed.
Other commentators explain that the two sons were intoxicated from partying (a nearby Torah verse suggests they might have been drinking), thus they desecrated the sacred ceremony.
And, still other commentators suggest that we do not understand the text or its rationale.
My intuition is that when a troubling episode is explained with multiple, contradictory rationales, then there must either be another, hidden reason for the situation, or there was not a clear reason whatsoever, and that the later rationales are ex post facto justifications.
Thus – whether it is a war in Iran, or the sudden execution of Moses’ eldest nephews – when we do not understand the given reasons, or they do not make sense, look elsewhere.
Hoping you enjoyed a meaningful Passover, Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Sometimes, confusing and complex occurrences happen, and we just cannot understand the rationale behind the episodes.
The war with Iran for the last six weeks is one such occasion. I am still at a loss to understand what was the reason for the war, even though I have heard many rationales posited by the American government. It is just not universally and unequivocally understandable, at least to me.
Such is the case in this week’s Torah portion, as well. And, clear explanations for the conflagration in the Torah have been just as elusive for 2000 years.
Her is the scene: Aaron, Moses’ brother, was about to be consecrated as the High Priest in an elaborate ceremony. Aaron had offered his requisite sacrifices, cleansed and prepared himself, and wa about to come forward for his anointing. Then, the following occurred:
“Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before GOD alien fire—which had not been enjoined upon them. And fire came forth from GOD and consumed them; thus they died by GOD’s will.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
So, why did God summarily execute Aaron’s two eldest sons, on the very day – the very moment – when their father was about to become Israel’s first High Priest?
Some commentators explain that this was done because the sons overstepped their bounds and prematurely did their father’s work.
Others explain that the fire which the sons offered was “alien,” meaning unholy, and thus they were idolatrous in some manner, and must be executed.
Other commentators explain that the two sons were intoxicated from partying (a nearby Torah verse suggests they might have been drinking), thus they desecrated the sacred ceremony.
And, still other commentators suggest that we do not understand the text or its rationale.
My intuition is that when a troubling episode is explained with multiple, contradictory rationales, then there must either be another, hidden reason for the situation, or there was not a clear reason whatsoever, and that the later rationales are ex post facto justifications.
Thus – whether it is a war in Iran, or the sudden execution of Moses’ eldest nephews – when we do not understand the given reasons, or they do not make sense, look elsewhere.
Hoping you enjoyed a meaningful Passover, Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
