Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Shemini/0/he
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נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת שמיני
מות נדב ואביהוא
After describing the eighth day of the consecration of the Mishkan, Parashat Shemini records the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed by heavenly fire while offering incense. Commentators struggle to understand what was so terrible about their deed that it warranted such a severe punishment. ראו למה נהרגו נדב ואביהוא?.
- הרבה מציעים1 that even if the brothers had positive intentions, they were punished for violating proper protocol. רש״ר הירש, thus, writes that though Nadav and Avihu desired to get close to Hashem, "בעבודת הקרבנות אין מקום לשרירותיות סובייקטיבית... ניתן להשיג [קרבת א-לוהים] רק על ידי שמיעה בקול ה׳ וקבלת עול מצוותיו". What are the dangers of subjective worship? Why might R. Hirsch, specifically, have been concerned about this?
- לפי הבנת רשב"ם בסיפור,2 it is possible that the deaths were not a punishment, but rather a "תאונת עבודה". לפי זה, נדב ואביהוא were in the wrong place at the wrong time and suffered the natural consequences. Are there "chance accidents", or must everything that occurs in the world be directly attributed to God and viewed in terms of reward and punishment?
You Are What You Eat?
- המפרשים נחלקו בשאלת האם חוקי כשרות ניתנו בגלל יתרונותיהם החומריות או הרוחניות. רשב"ם maintains that their purpose is purely utilitarian, and they serve to ensure the health of the nation. בעל עקדת יצחק מתנגד בחריפות לרעיון that a commandment would be instituted for such mundane reasons, claiming that all mitzvot must serve to help man perfect his nature. Do you agree?
- רמב"ן suggests that since what you eat affects who you are, Hashem prohibited predatory animals and birds from consumption, lest man, too, become a beast of prey. Is this convincing? Does the food one consumes really affect one's character?
- שד"ל asserts that another goal of the laws is to distance Israel from other nations. Besides marking the nation as unique, the dietary restrictions limit socialization. Does the Torah advocate for isolationism? If so, is this limited to the religious sphere, or also to cultural and social interactions? ראו מטרת חוקי כשרות ו"הן עם לבדד ישכן".
More...
For more, see: Parashat Shemini Topics.
