"Life is a journey not a destination"- Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this week's parshah Aharon's sons pass away during the inauguration of the Mishkan. A fire from Heaven consumes them. After this event the Kohanim are warned not to drink any alcohol when preforming services. Some commentators state that this juxtaposition is to point out that Aharon's sons were punished because they were drunk while they were serving in the Mishkan
In the Haftorah, we have another tragic death. That of Uzzah who reached out to support the Aron or Ark of the Covenant when it appeared to fall. The commentators point out that the Ark is not supposed to be transported upon a wagon, only upon the shoulders of the Levites and that is why he was punished.
What is the difference if the ark is transported on shoulders or on a wagon? It is moving from point A to point B. Why is God so concerned with how it is done? If Aharon's sons did not make any actual mistakes in the services what does it matter if they were drunk?
There is a story told about my Rosh Yeshivah, Rabbi Dov Linzer. The University of Maryland has a rule on the books which is colloquially known as the Rabbi Linzer Rule. May years ago the University had a rule that if you could pass the final then you could get credit for the entire course.
So Rabbi Linzer went to the book store and purchased 21 text books (his weekend reading). That semester he enrolled in 21 classes and received 63 credits. This caused the University to change the rule and require attendance as part of the class requirements.
What the university realized was that taking a course and college in general for that matter is not just about absorbing information and passing tests. It is also about the experience you get learning from teachers and having discussions with classmates.
The proper procedure and experience of the mitzvah is why we do it. A mitzvah has value in and of it self. That is one understanding of the Mishnah in Pirkeh Avot 4:2 that states the reward for a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah.
The mitzvot are not for Hashem. They cannot be for God. That is impossible. Hashem is by definition perfect and needs nothing. So who are the mitzvot for? Rav Kook states that the Mitzvot are for us not for God, which is what we say when we make a Bracha," Asher Kidishanu BeMitzvotav", that you sanctified us with the commandments. The essence of the Mitzvah is not the result but the experience.
A life of holiness and spirituality is not just about completing tasks and checking off boxes. How we conduct services and transport the Ark is at the essence of these Mitzvot. Mitzvot are not only based on results. The Mitzvot are not a means to an ends. They are ends unto themselves
In this week's parshah Aharon's sons pass away during the inauguration of the Mishkan. A fire from Heaven consumes them. After this event the Kohanim are warned not to drink any alcohol when preforming services. Some commentators state that this juxtaposition is to point out that Aharon's sons were punished because they were drunk while they were serving in the Mishkan
In the Haftorah, we have another tragic death. That of Uzzah who reached out to support the Aron or Ark of the Covenant when it appeared to fall. The commentators point out that the Ark is not supposed to be transported upon a wagon, only upon the shoulders of the Levites and that is why he was punished.
What is the difference if the ark is transported on shoulders or on a wagon? It is moving from point A to point B. Why is God so concerned with how it is done? If Aharon's sons did not make any actual mistakes in the services what does it matter if they were drunk?
There is a story told about my Rosh Yeshivah, Rabbi Dov Linzer. The University of Maryland has a rule on the books which is colloquially known as the Rabbi Linzer Rule. May years ago the University had a rule that if you could pass the final then you could get credit for the entire course.
So Rabbi Linzer went to the book store and purchased 21 text books (his weekend reading). That semester he enrolled in 21 classes and received 63 credits. This caused the University to change the rule and require attendance as part of the class requirements.
What the university realized was that taking a course and college in general for that matter is not just about absorbing information and passing tests. It is also about the experience you get learning from teachers and having discussions with classmates.
The proper procedure and experience of the mitzvah is why we do it. A mitzvah has value in and of it self. That is one understanding of the Mishnah in Pirkeh Avot 4:2 that states the reward for a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah.
The mitzvot are not for Hashem. They cannot be for God. That is impossible. Hashem is by definition perfect and needs nothing. So who are the mitzvot for? Rav Kook states that the Mitzvot are for us not for God, which is what we say when we make a Bracha," Asher Kidishanu BeMitzvotav", that you sanctified us with the commandments. The essence of the Mitzvah is not the result but the experience.
A life of holiness and spirituality is not just about completing tasks and checking off boxes. How we conduct services and transport the Ark is at the essence of these Mitzvot. Mitzvot are not only based on results. The Mitzvot are not a means to an ends. They are ends unto themselves
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