By Shalom Olensky
This week in the Torah:
As a precaution to prevent a deadly result by entering the Holy of Holies – as was the case with two of Aaron’s sons (Nadav and Avihu) – G-d commands Aaron and his remaining progeny of the Priesthood, to never enter the Holy of Holies but for the High Priest, on Yom Kippur.
This is introduced by the words: “After two sons of Aaron died, as they came close to G-d they died….”
Questions:
Why does the aforementioned verse repeat its telling of the death (After they died…they died)?
Also, how could it be that these two extremely righteous men did something that can be depicted as a sin?
Answer:
The one question is answered by the other: Indeed, their flaw (“sin”) was totally righteous and it is the subject of the aforementioned verse, saying, that their mistake was in the fact that their coming close to G-d was in a manner that caused their souls to leave their bodies. Although the desire to cleave to G-d must be strong, it cannot lead to catastrophe in the physical realm….
Explanation:
True love of G-d is made of two parts: Ratzo (Yearning) and Shuv (Returning). Indeed, one must love G-d boundlessly. However, since the object of one’s love – G-d – desires His holiness to be welcomed by the lowest realms, which specifically are the realms to serve as His abode, therefore, the worship of G-d must result in returning to the physical realm and doing physical actions that will facilitate this G-dly desire.
Hence, although G-d wants the yearning, and indeed the truest returning itself is dependent on a boundless yearning, nevertheless, G-d desires the returning even more.
Question:
If one is to have a true and complete rapturous and boundless yearning to be close to G-d, how can one possibly be grounded enough in this world so as to return to it as G-d desires?
Answer:
By entering the rapture with the proper motive, i.e., to fulfill the Will of the Creator. With this firm basis, the highest reaching yearning will always evoke in oneself the deepest and farthest reaching returning.
Question:
The Torah and all of its stories contain instruction for everyone. What then can be said of the above theme as an instruction for everyone, even those in a lowly state?
Answer:
Everyone is inspired at times. From the above it is understandable how at each time of spiritual inspiration, by ensuring our sense of purpose so as to be inspired purely because that is what G-d wants, we shall return from an experience of inspiration and ground it in physical behavior of Torah-true Judaism, goodness and kindness.
(Based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. 3, Acharei)
