Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
Two weeks ago, in the course of reading “Parashat Shemini”, we were informed of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, two of the sons of Aaron the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and brother of Moses. No explicit reason is given for their unlikely and unexpected deaths though traditional commentaries largely support the notion that they must have done something so awful that their family is commanded not to mourn their deaths.
Another puzzle regarding this episode is why, after the Torah details these events is there a break in the story picking up only this week with the opening words of the first of the two parshiyot which we read this Shabbat: “Achrei Mot” (to be followed by “Kedoshim”).
Returning to “Parashat Shemini” we see that Aaron’s initial response to the news of his personal tragedy is retreat into silence “Va-yidom Aharon/ and Aaron was silent” [Leviticus 10:3]. But then he and the other priests are charged with distinguishing between the sacred and the profane and teaching all the laws which God has imparted to Moses [10:9-11].
Only when we reach the 16th chapter of this book of the Torah does the narrative pick up in the aftermath of the deaths of the young priests. How the family of Aaron managed to internalize all the laws taught in the interim and not mourn their losses is beyond me. I do not have an answer.
But I have noticed a parallel in our own contemporary Jewish world for during these past two weeks Jews around the world have joined the citizens of Israel and her supporters everywhere in marking two occasions added to the modern Hebrew calendar during the last several decades. First we commemorated Yom Ha-Shoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) on the 27th of Nisan, and 6 days later Yom Ha-Zikaron (Memorial Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror).
On these days nearly the entire population of the Jewish state comes to a halt as sirens wail reminding everyone of the great losses incurred first during the Holocaust and then in building and preserving the State of Israel. And while some may try to understand the violence that has taken so many from us, like the family of Nadav and Avihu we have no good answers.
But notice where “Parashat Achrei Mot” takes us after picking up the narrative. It continues with instructions for Aaron who must carry on, brings details of the original Yom Kippur rituals which force us to confront our mortality and then introduces us to the section known as the “Holiness Code” in chapter 17.
And this too parallels our modern Jewish experience. For after Israel’s memorial day the country zooms right into celebration of Israeli Independence Day on the 5th of Iyyar as a reminder that despite the heavy prices paid we do go on and we do not give up. The mission of the Jewish people and therefore of the Jewish state is to bring holiness into the world. We do that every time we study Torah and engage in fulfilling God’s mitzvot. That is why we can never give in to hatred and violence – for we have yet to complete our mission: to be God’s holy people and live by God’s teachings.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Matt Futterman
Senior Educator
