Inner Fire

Shmini

 Lev. 9:1-11:47

Précis:  On the final day of the week-long ordination ceremony, Moses instructs Aaron and his sons on the proper rituals. Aaron makes his offering. Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offer “strange fire” before God. They are slain. Moses tells Aaron that he must not engage in normal mourning rituals. The Priests are prohibited from drinking alcohol while they are engaged in their sacred duties.  Next, God tells Moses and Aaron to instruct the people about the animals they are permitted to eat (part of the laws of kashrut). A general warning to guard against defilement and to be concerned about ritual purity is given.

Lev. 10:1-2 “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense on them, and offered strange fire before Adonai, which He had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before Adonai, and devoured them…”

            The sudden, unexpected deaths of Aaron’s son’s is jarring. The Sages offer a plethora of reasons why their deaths happen. Some suggest that they were drunk, others that they were not wearing appropriate clothing, or had failed to properly bathe, that they lacked authorization to enter the holy place, or that they were expanding on the laws which Moses, their teacher, had provided. Some suggest that they were stuck down for the sin of not being married! Michelle Wasserman, writing in MyJewishLearning.com (3/29/16) suggests that we take note that the “fire” which slays them has (according to Midrash) left their bodies unmarked. In other words, the “inner fire” (their passion) which caused them to bring “strange fire” (unauthorized) resulted in the internal destruction of their bodies, extinguishing their special passion.

            Fire is an almost universal metaphor for passion. The internal passion which causes them to offer “strange fire” is alienating, because it diverges from the rituals which are performed on behalf of the entire people. Viewed in this light, offering “strange fire” was a selfish act, an attempt to cultivate a private passion for God instead of acting on behalf of the entire community.

            The Priests, being closest to God, must act in a way which brings God’s presence to the community. Nadav and Abihu failed as role models. Or as stated by Rabbi Andy Shapiro Katz (Torah Sparks, 3/30/19), “Nadav and Abihu got carried away and forgot that a priest not only brings sacrifices, but also teaches the people, and helps them distinguish between the sacred and profane. Filled with passion for God, Nadav and Abihu had forgotten about their responsibility to the living.” Our people still need leaders to serve as positive examples of behavior.