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Drash for Shabbat Shemini By Beth Confrey - April 13, 2007 Shemini begins with a description of offerings during the inauguration period of the Tabernacle in the desert. Aaron and his sons are ordained as the High Priests on the eighth day. Aaron blesses the people of Israel by raising his hands. The Torah tells us that following the blessing of the people, the glory of God appeared to the entire people! The story goes from the heights of joy and celebration to the depths of tragedy and mourning. Nadav and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, were instructed in the correct offerings required by God but they offered an incorrect incense offering. They are dealt a very harsh punishment and are consumed by a fire from God. They died there at the altar. Tradition teaches us that this was more than just an error in execution of the ritual. This was a challenge to the very system that God had just put in place. Some say that Nadav and Abihu were using the altar and sacrificial service as a way to incorporate idol worship into the new practices of the people of Israel. Other commentators say they were intoxicated while performing the rituals of the Temple. The text says: "Do not drink intoxicating wine, you and your sons, with you, when you come to the Tent of Meeting, that you not die- this is an eternal decree for your generations." Nadav and Abihu’s seemingly harsh judgment is that they must have been drunk while offering the strange fire to God. Their deaths are an important lesson regarding the sanctity of the Temple service and the seriousness with which we must treat God and the holiness of worship. Our spirituality and spiritual needs must be honored with a sense of sanctity and respect. While we no longer offer sacrifices, we still should treat our relationship with God with care and the same sense of nurturing and honor that the ancient Temple practices engendered. We learn through the tragedies of Nadav and Abihu that we ought to take greater care in our relationship with God. Shabbat Shalom.
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