This week’s portion, Shemini, (Lev. 9:1-11:47), begins with the tragic incident of Aaron’s two eldest sons, Nadav and Abihu, who bring some “strange fire” before God and are struck dead in the Holy of Holies. The parshah goes on to expound the Torah’s dietary laws, kept to one degree or another by many Jews to this day.
This
Torah portion emphasizes fitting and proper behavior and avoidance of
impurity. We may well ask ourselves why
these details are so important. Why are
some animals permitted and others forbidden?
Why must two prominent young men die because they brought God one kind
of fire instead of another?
We
try to understand the laws of the Torah on a rational basis because so many of
them really are rational. Don’t murder,
don’t bear false witness, honor your parents – it is clear why these laws
promote justice, fairness, caring for the world and for its inhabitants. But not all of Torah’s laws are rational.
This parshah concentrates on distinguishing that which God has declared fit
from what God has declared unfit. Unlike
Nadav and Abihu, we will not be struck down if we eat pork, or a cheeseburger,
or bread on Passover. But the
performance of these laws gives the Jewish people a common bond and a communal
identity that has survived for thousands of years. As we prepare for the Passover Seder, which
will also be performed by Jews around the world tonight, let us celebrate that
which makes us a holy people.
No comments:
Post a Comment