Parashat Shemini This week's Torah reading talks, among other topics, about the death of two of the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, in the middle of serving Gd. The Torah relates the attitude of Aharon and, when compared to that of King David we can learn a deep lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
===============================================================================<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not so many events happen in this particular portion, but one very significant moment is the death of Nadav and Avihu. Nadav and Avihu were two of the sons of Aaron\u2014the great priest and the brother of Moses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were in the middle of the inauguration of the Tabernacle and were serving Gd. They brought a strange or unauthorized fire before Gd\u2014something very spiritual\u2014and in the midst of all this, they passed away. So, in a sense, it happened right in the middle of a celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, when the Torah talks about this event, it shows us the attitude Aaron had when he saw that his children\u2014again, very great spiritual people\u2014passed away in the middle of serving Gd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we explain what the Torah actually says, it's helpful to understand that there are three general attitudes a person can have when facing problems or challenges in life. We will learn from Aaron one of those attitudes, and from King David\u2014the best possible attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attitude #1: Complaint<\/strong> It doesn't matter whether the person is good or bad\u2014this attitude is about complaining. "I don't deserve this. I don't like this," and so on. This attitude is, of course, not ideal. Gd knows exactly what He's doing with His world. Do you really think you know better than Gd?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attitude #2: Silence and Acceptance<\/strong> That means I accepted G-d's judgment. He didn't understand it, he didn't like it, but he didn't complain. He just remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This silence was actually rewarded. After the passing of his sons, Gd spoke directly to Aaron\u2014something that rarely happened\u2014and gave him specific laws through him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attitude #3: Praise<\/strong> Psalm 30<\/strong> At the end of the psalm, he says: Then he says that Gd transformed his mourning into joy, and adds: Notice that: \u201cI will not be silent\u201d\u2014the opposite of Aaron's silence. David says that even in hard times, he wants his entire being to sing and express joy before Gd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 101<\/strong> In Hebrew: \u201cChesed u'mishpat ashirah.\u201d<\/em> So, David teaches us: not only should we not be silent\u2014we should actively praise Gd for everything<\/strong> that happens in our lives, both the obviously good and the seemingly difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is when a person refuses to accept what is happening. They might say:
\u201c"I deserve better. Why is this happening to me? What does Gd want from me?"\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is Aaron's response. The Torah says in Hebrew:
\u201cVayidom Aharon\u201d<\/em>\u2014 \u201cAnd Aaron was silent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the attitude of King David, and it's even greater than silent acceptance. We see this in two Psalms: Psalm 30 and Psalm 101.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This psalm was written when King David wanted to inaugurate a new place of worship\u2014his own house, since the Temple had not yet been built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\""Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me."\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\""In order that my whole being should sing to You, and I will not be silent."\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
David goes even further. This psalm begins:
\""A psalm by David. I will sing of kindness and justice."\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
That means: whether Gd shows me kindness (chesed<\/em>) or justice (mishpat<\/em>)\u2014whether times are good or hard\u2014I will still sing to You, Gd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Parashat Shemini - Don't be silent, praise!<\/a><\/blockquote>