The Eighth

As we shift out of matzah consciousness and back into the world of fluffy puffed up bread, we also step into some of the most dramatic Torah energies there are – the sudden deaths of Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadav and Avihu, during their final day of their initiation into priesthood. 

The reactions of Moses and Aaron give anyone dealing with the shock of a loved one’s death some importance guidance.

Moses, Nadav and Avidu’s uncle, the man that spoke face to face with the divine,  and the leader of the jewish people, frames the dead and their deaths as the ultimate in holiness, two souls that were clearly on a higher level of righteousness than either himself or his brother Aaron. Through Moses’ praise he unquestioningly accepts the mysterious ways of Hashem. 

Aaron, their father, is silent. A silence that is known to be rewarded. 

Neither of them mention the sin of the Golden Calf in which Aaron was involved. Neither of them mention the way Nadav and Avihu acted as the problem. There was praise, there was humility and there was silence. 

Advice for anyone that doesn’t know what to say when bad things happen to chosen people.