Setting Boundaries

Sh’mini
Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Précis: On the final day of the ordination ceremony Moses instructs Aaron and his sons on the proper rituals. Aaron makes his offering. Aaron’s sons Nadav and Abihu offer “strange” or ”alien” fire before God. They are slain. Moses tells Aaron that he must not engage in the 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.

Leviticus 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 deaths of Nadab and Abihu described here occur in a parasha which also instructs us on various laws of kashrut. Is there a connection?
          First, the parasha starts by describing animals used for Temple sacrifices, and we learn that not every animal is appropriate for that function. With Nadab and Abihu, we see that not all fire in the Temple is holy. Priests are told that they may not drink alcohol, so we learn there is a time and place for imbibing. Aaron is kept from mourning, so we learn that there is a time for mourning.
          These things occur just before we read laws relating to kashrut. Kashrut is all about boundaries – what is permitted, what is prohibited. Apparently, Nadab and Abihu transgressed by ignoring boundaries. Judaism, like kashrut, is all about boundaries. We voluntarily accept these boundaries (limitations on our behavior) as part of the Covenant relationship. Sometimes we understand the need for the boundaries, and sometimes we don’t. Some are obvious (don’t steal, don’t murder, honor your parents), and some are mysterious (don’t mix wool and linen, don’t eat meat and milk together). Our concept of holiness, kedushah, is based on the idea of differences and boundaries. The word “kedushah” comes from a root meaning to keep separate. By living within the boundaries set out in Vayikra, we aim for its repeated refrain: “be holy because I, your God, am holy.”
         Setting boundaries and living by them is one of the great challenges we face as Jews, as parents, as spouses, friends, congregants, and professionally. I find the text here is a powerful reminder of the importance of such boundaries.
          Shabbat Shalom

My Thanksgiving

Tzav
Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Précis: The parasha begins with Adonai ordering Moses to command (“tzav”) Aaron and his sons concerning burnt offerings. Requirements for the daily offerings, directions for the meal offerings, instructions for guilt-offerings and thanksgiving offerings are described. The parasha then describes the initial offerings of the Tabernacle made by Aaron and his sons following their consecration to service by Moses.

       In this week’s reading, we learn about a variety of offerings: burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, among others. We also read about the “zevach sh’lamim,” often translated as “sacrifice of well-being.”
       The burnt offering comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to go up” and usually is thought of a cloud of smoke rising above the altar, connected to a request being made by the offeror, and is totally consumed on the altar.
       The “sacrifice of well-being” is much different. It is often construed as a way to fulfill vows, or as a thanksgiving offering. Unlike other sacrifices, with the zevach sh’lamim, a portion of the sacrifice is eaten by the offering family (think of a BBQ on Thanksgiving Day!). One midrash suggests that in the time of the Messiah, the only offerings which will continue will be the zevach sh’lamim.
        How do we make a connection with today? Thanksgiving should not be restricted to the 4th Thursday of November. I find particular resonance in the lyrics in the song “My Thanksgiving” by Don Henley:

The trouble with you and me my friend, is the trouble with this nation:
Too many blessings, too little appreciation.
And I know that kind of notion—well, it just ain't cool,
So send me back to Sunday school.
Because I'm tired of waiting for reason to arrive;
It's too long we've been living these unexamined lives.
I've got great expectations:
I've got family and friends,
I've got satisfying work,
I've got a back that bends,
For every breath, for every day of living-
This is my Thanksgiving

      I suggest that any day which goes by without saying a sincere “thank you” to someone who is important to you is a day wasted – and none of us should be wasting a single day!