Acharei Mos Kedoshim and Yom Hazikaron Memorial Day for fallen soldiers 2020
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2020
It is truly unfortunate that Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, is introduced by the death of the two sons of Aaron. “And it was after the death of the Aaron’s two sons...” The torah goes on to describe the Yom Kippur service in detail. The Midrash Rabah asks, “The death occurred in the month of Nisan, why then mention it in context of Yom Kippur which was six months later? The Midrash answers; “to inform us that the death of a righteous person atones.” This idea, that a Tzadik’s death itself effects atonement, is actually read on Yom Kippur in the story of the 10 Martyrs. And it’s not only in the context of martyrdom; The Midrash cites the death of Miriam as an example of this idea. She wasn’t martyred.
The Midrash Rabah elaborates on possible reasons for the death of Nadav and Avihu (apparently the pasuk’s explanation of their bringing an unrecognized fire, “Aish Zarah” is either inadequate or vague):
1\They taught torah in the presence of their teacher, Moshe.
2\They performed temple service (Avodah) drunk, or without proper garments, or without washing, and they had no children.
3\They served as bachelors thinking no one was good enough for them.
4\They yearned for the opportunity to take over the leadership from Moshe and Aaron saying “When will these two old guys pass on so we could take over?”
5\They satiated from the holy Presence at Mt Sinai.
The pasuk says, referring to the two sons, “Bikrovai Ekadesh” I will become sanctified with my closest ones. One wonders if they had these various and sundry sins how were they “the closest ones”?
The torah mentions the sin and the death of Nadav and Avihu in four separate contexts, often for no reason. The Midrash suggests that the repetition by the torah emphasizes their righteousness, that they had no other sin other than the one.
The Midrash elsewhere blames their death on Aaron’s participation in the golden calf. If you are confused over the true nature of these two young men, it helps that the torah connects their death to Yom Kippur. Describing the service on Yom Kippur the Rambam characterizes it as being a “communal service”, performed by the community through the Kohen Gadol. The Kohen Gadol is our stand in not just our representative; he stands for us, we are he and he is us. Like the son’s of Aaron, on the one hand we are sinners on the other we are righteous. On Yom Kippur we accompany the Kohen Gadol as he enters the holy of holies. We go in as sinners but emerge cleansed. When the torah writes “Bezot yavoh Aharon el hakodeesh”,”With THIS Aaron enter into the holy place”, the Midrash explains that the term “THIS” refers to the death of his two sons. Aaron goes in to the most holy place wearing and carrying the tragedy of the death of his two sons. We enter into the holy with our historical tragedies hoping to become cleansed by our suffering and hoping to have our suffering redeemed. Let the “Mesat Tzadikim”, the death of the righteous atone and cleanse us on this Memorial Day when we remember the fallen.
Dedicated in the Memory of Joel Shulman AH and to all those who have paid the ultimate price on behalf of our land.