D'var Torah

Rising to God’s Level

Jacqueline Lehrer
University of Ottawa

Among the parshiyot this month is Shemini. It tells of the curious episode involving the deaths of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu. They die because they offered strange fires before God. They were consumed from the inside out. The next passage explains the prohibition of being drunk while performing the Temple service. Due to the proximity of these two texts to one another, tradition derives that Aaron’s sons were drunk upon entering the Tabernacle and that their deaths were their punishment.

Being drunk is not something that is mentioned often in Torah study. Another mention of drinking comes in the guidelines for this month’s holiday of Purim. Tradition suggests that one is supposed to drink so much on Purim that one should be unable to distinguish between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordechai." The Talmud relates how one rabbi (Rabbah) invited another rabbi (Rabbi Zeira) over for the Purim feast. They drank so much that Rabbah killed Rabbi Zeira. The next day, Rabbah prays to God and Rabbi Zeira’s life is restored. Approaching Purim the following year, Rabbi Zeira declines Rabbah’s invitation to his Purim feast, explaining how one cannot depend on a miracle at every moment.

Both of these episodes are curious on their own. According to some commentaries, these two events are interrelated. They represent a question of humanity’s purpose in this world. Judaism is very centered on the present. Our goal is to bring God into this world. Herein lies the flaw of Nadav and Avihu. This was the problem with Rabbah and Rabbi Zeira on Purim as well. Misunderstanding the mission of humanity, these four attempted to rise up to God’s level. Of the four, only one was able to approach that lofty level and live to tell about it and thus bring his friend back to life.

Jews almost achieve this elevated level only once a year, on Yom Kippur. Interestingly the Day of Atonement’s Hebrew title is abridged from Yom HaKippurim, meaning, the day like Purim. There are many parallels and conflicting comparisons between the two holidays. I alluded above to the most important parallel. The importance is found with us not having to rise up to God’s lofty level. Rather, our mission is to make this a world fit for God and the Divine Presence.

[Posted 3/9/05]