Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Cohen
After the death of Aharon’s two sons. (16:1)
The Midrash states four reasons for the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu. Among these is the idea that, “They did not take counsel one from another.” “Each man his firepan” (Vayikra 10:1) teaches us that each one acted on his own without consulting the other. It was as if each one were to say, “I know what to do; I have no reason to mull it over with anyone else.” It is interesting how these deaths fall out during Sefirat Haomer, when we mourn the deaths of Rabbi Akiva’s talmidim. Those were the greatest scholars of their generation, twenty-four thousand devoted students of one of the generation’s Torah sage. Yet, there was something about their behavior that was lacking.
Chazal say, “They did not practice/they were not accustomed to giving honor one to another.” Perhaps each one held himself in such esteem that he did not feel beholden to anyone else. After all, who could advise him? Who could teach him?
Horav Arye Leib Bakst, zl, explains that this is not the correct approach. From the very beginning of Creation, Hashem established a guideline of, “It is not good for man to be alone.” While Judaism views this as the reason for marriage, Rashi adds a penetrating insight into levado, “alone,” explaining why it is so vital: “That they should not claim there are two authorities; Hashem is unique in the higher realms, and (He) has no mate; and this one (Adam) is unique in the lower realms, and he (also) has no mate.” Indeed, even when He created Man, Hashem “consulted” with the malachim. Rashi explains that the Torah is teaching us proper conduct of humility. This is Hashem’s middah, and one must try to emulate the Almighty, because this is Divine Will.
Shabbat Shalom.