Parshat Achrei Mot; Leviticus 16: 1-18:30 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

Can someone be too close to God? The current emphasis on all things spiritual would have us all be close to God. Religion in general sees this as a good thing and our morals and values help elevate us in seeking this union and communion with the Divine. But can one be too close?

According to this week’s parasha that is true. It describes again the sin of Nadav and Abihu, sons of Aaron, priests themselves, who died “when they drew too close to the presence of God.” (16:1). Nadav and Abihu also offered was was called a strange or alien fire –or sacrifice to God. One that perhaps in their own zealousness was not required nor requested. And so they offered a sacrifice in the sacred Tent of meeting, violating the holy precincts and the rules of sacrifice. When we refer to the actual passages earlier in Leviticus—it notes that Moses shares God’s words with Aaron—“Through those close to me I will make Myself holy, through the people I will glorify Myself.”

God’s holiness by God’s admission seems to come from those who draw near to God. And yet, if you draw too close to God—there is a clear warning that one will be consumed just as Nadav and Abihu were and just as Aaron is warned about in this week’s portion. It is interesting to note that holiness—in parshat Kedoshim—is a state of being to be emulated by humanity—You be holy because I Adonai your God am holy.

Thus the state of holiness—we learn is not just a one-way street. Rather, we become holy through our worship, association, and following the ways of God and God becomes holy through our worship, association and following the ways of God. It is as if we empower one another! God and humanity are in sacred dialogue and holy relationship.

But clearly, the Torah warns us as well. If we get too close, too consumed by our zealousness, we can lose ourselves. Even the masters of the Kabbalah who longed for d’vekut—clinging to God warned that without the proper preparation and study and faith one could entirely lose oneself and yes, even die. The Kabbalists recognized that it took proper instruction and a proper context to elevate the soul to such a high plane.

In an age when religious zealots and fanatics claim exclusive truth and knowledge of God, it is good to remind ourselves that even as we long to be close to God and seek out the holy, our Jewish tradition, wants us to approach that closeness with caution, Torah study and proper teachers. Pirke Avot teaches us “Asei l’cha rav” Get yourself a teacher.

For the study of Torah and our tradition is indeed the pathway—but we never study alone!

Posted by Lee at April 19, 2005 01:06 PM