The traditional synagogue reading from the Torah for this Shabbat, the one that is coming close upon us, includes the passage in which two sons of the High Priest, Aaron, bring "strange fire" as an offering to God, and are consumed in an instant as if they had become the burnt offering. (Lev. 10)
I am sending you a brief note that casts an interesting light on this fiery tale. It comes from Rabbi Phyllis Berman, who is co-author with me of a couple of books (A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven: The Jewish Life-Spiral as a Spiritual Path and Tales of Tikkun: New Jewish Stories to Heal the Wounded World and is also my life-partner. She writes:
Though most traditional commentators focus on what Nadav and Abihu did "wrong" in offering "strange fire" that caused them to be consumed, I go in a completely different direction.
I think about "strange", that which is unfamiliar or unknown, like a "stranger" or an idea before it's become popular. I think about how innovators -- in science, in spirituality, in music and art, in loving -- are ahead of their time, inspired by and absorbed by that which most others might consider "strange". I think about how, especially when one is creative, one can become totally consumed by the creative process.
I think about how each of us desires to live fully, well-used, and that some people are fortunate to live each moment in that way; though we pray that everyone has a "full" life, it may be that "full" has more to do with quality than with length of time.
Perhaps that's why Aaron was "silent" after the death of his sons: perhaps he felt that bittersweet mixture of grief for the loss of his sons and pride/satisfaction for the richness of their lives. They were "consumed", as so many of us are, when we are blessed with meaningful lives.
***
May our lives be full and our passions all-consuming, and may we live to experience that fullness over and over again in lives that are long as well. -
Shalom, salaam, peace.
Rabbi Arthur Waskow"
QUESTION TO READER OF THE JOURNEY OF HOPE BLOG:
How can we begin to understand for ourselves and for others just how painful--how horrific is the unexpected death of a loved one--particularly to murder or the threat of murder? How can we begin to have the grace of silence? I've observed that often when speaking, murder victims family who are against the death penalty sometimes have the beautiful grace of silence with others bereaved due to a murder who are not yet "there". Lessons for us all!
When and how is silence as response to such rage best? When is speaking outloud best?
Let me know so that I can reprint your comment here.
Connie newlease7@yahoo.com
Also see also...
Rabbi Mecklenberg, the author of the Ktav v-haKabbala,
www.ohrtorahstone.org.il/parsha/parsha.htm
Parashat Shemini/Shabbat Parah - D'var Torah
Aaron is unable to speak because the experience of the horrific death of his sons at such a peak moment in his life cannot be articulated in words. ...
www.bj.org/parashat_hashavua/parashat_shemini_5765.php
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