Parshat Shemini tells the story of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. It is
clear from the Torah that their deaths were a form of punishment; what is not
clear is what was their sin.
Rashi suggests that their sin was showing disrespect towards Moshe by deciding
Halachot in his presence. The Talmud in Sanhdrin picks up on this theme and
elaborates:
Moses and Aaron were walking along, as Nadav and Avihu were behind
them, and all of Israel behind them. Nadav said to Avihu, "When these two
elders die, you and I will lead this generation." God said to them
"Let's see who buries whom." (Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 52a).
According to the Talmud the fatal flaw of Nadav and Avihu was their
disrespect and disregard of the previous generation. They believed that they
represented the future of Klal Yisrael- and as the “next generation” they were
better and smarter than their father and uncle. Instead of showing humility and
learning from their elders, they demonstrate hubris and ignore, if not scorn,
their forbearers.
It is very appropriate that we read Parshat Shemini this year right
before we commemorate Yom Hashoah. Yom Hashoah is a day for us to remember and
honor Holocaust victims and survivors. I am proud that every year the young Israel
of Hollywood – Ft Lauderdale hosts a Yom Hashoah commemoration. This year’s
event will take place Sunday evening at 8:15 PM. Thanks to the dedication and
hard work of Dr. Lenny Hoenig, the program will once again include a dramatic
presentation performed by the youth of our congregation. Our Guest speaker will
be Mr. William Bernheim, an artist and survivor of the Lodz Ghetto and Buchenwald concentration camp.
I urge you to join me Sunday night. Let us learn from the tragic
mistake of Nadav and Avihu and be sure to honor and remember our past.
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