In Parashat Shemini we reach a high point in Jewish history with the dedication of the Tabernacle. However joy quickly turns to mourning when two of Aaron’s sons bring “Strange fire that God did not command them,” and fire comes forth from God and consumes them.

In a rare focus on a woman’s feelings, the midrash focuses on Elisheva, the wife of Aaron and mother of Nadav and Avihu, whose pride at the accomplishments of her family turns to horror and anguish.

Some say that they were drunk because immediately afterwards God commands them not to drink alcohol when on duty. Other midrashim assert that their sin was the sin of excessive pride, their desire to take over from their parents, etc. Another understanding is that they were not bad people, but their fervor led them to blur boundaries.
Today we also live at a high point of the Jewish people, the return to our homeland. We must ask whether our fervor brings us to drunkenly attempt to serve God with strange fire antithetical to the ethical commandments that are supposed to guide us.

Fervor for “Proper economics” and the “Land of Israel” quickly becomes the strange fire of our day, justifying untold numbers of human rights violations. We must find the way to quench this strange fire and return to the fire commanded by God, the burning desire to pursue peace and justice, and to honor God’s image in every human being.

Recent Articles by Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman

• Balaq: Human Rights and adhering to a democratic process - July 10th, 2008
• Shavuot: Recognize and do what is right - June 6th, 2008
• Behuqqotay: Reward and Punishment - May 19th, 2008
• Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate - May 7th, 2008
• Arik Ascherman: Rabbi-activist for the rights of Israelis, Palestinians, and foreign workers in Israel - June 4th, 2007
• The work that we do is not fun: Tikkun Olam and Human Rights - May 4th, 2007
• Passover, The Omer and Human Rights - April 5th, 2007
• Purim: Acts of justice bring us greater honor than the clothes of kings - March 1st, 2007
• Teruma: Building a human tabernacle united through the inner sanctuary that dwells with each of us - February 23rd, 2007
• Fakhri El-Diab Arrested - February 15th, 2007
• Beshallah: Building a society in which all can sing with joy - February 2nd, 2007
• Darkness has struck again - December 11th, 2006
• Hayye Sara: Needs common to all humanity - November 17th, 2006
• Lekh-Lekha: Living up to the moral heritage that Avraham and Sarah have bequeathed us - November 4th, 2006
• Sukkoth: Symbolic versus authentic homelessness - October 5th, 2006
• Selichot Ceremony - September 29th, 2006
• Tisha Bav: Justice, Law and Righteousness - July 28th, 2006
• Shabbat Hazon: What we must do to improve our situation - July 28th, 2006
• Devarim: Act with tzedakah and mishpat in all that we do - July 28th, 2006
• Tisha BAv: Human Rights and Self Criticism - July 21st, 2006
• Mase: Making an enemy into a Friend - July 21st, 2006
• Mattot: Human Rights and Collateral Damage - July 21st, 2006
• Why I Will Demonstrate - June 29th, 2006
• RHR Wins Court Victory: High Court Orders Security Forces to Protect Palestinian Farmers - June 26th, 2006
• Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
• Nizzavim: For what are we willing to stand up, and how? - May 26th, 2006
• Shavuot: A world based on righteousness, justice, goodness, mercy and faithfulness. - May 26th, 2006
• Bemidbar: Reaching out to the ones we would normally turn away - May 26th, 2006
• Behar: A vision of a just and caring society - May 19th, 2006
• Behuqqotay: Respect the moral order - May 19th, 2006
• Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman - May 12th, 2006
• Emor: Unity and equality between Jews and non-Jews in front of the law - May 12th, 2006
• Shemini: Partners with God - April 21st, 2006
• Va'era: Hear each other’s narratives - January 26th, 2006
• Miqqez: It is not too late to renew and fulfill the promises of old - December 30th, 2005
• Vayyeze: The Image of God in all - December 8th, 2005
• Noah: Knowing how to protest and to effect change - November 4th, 2005
• Sukkoth: Peace, justice, involvement and caring for all people - October 10th, 2005
• Ki-Tavo: Responsiblity to fulfill our Human Rights obligations - September 23rd, 2005
• Ki-Teze: We must stand in the breach and make sure that nobody is left behind - September 14th, 2005
• Shofetim: Pursue justice through mitzvot of commission - September 8th, 2005
• Devarim: You shall not be partial in judgement - August 12th, 2005
• Shabbat Hazon: Misplaced Priorities in Society - August 12th, 2005
• Mas'e: Expulsion, Democracy and Civil Disobedience - August 4th, 2005
• Mattot: Find the formulas allowing all of us to have our basic Human Rights and needs met. - July 28th, 2005
• Balaq: We cannot negotiate for peace on the one hand and violate Human Rights on the other - July 14th, 2005
• Shemini: Quench this strange fire and return to the fire commanded by God - April 1st, 2005
• Preventing Home Demolitions - March 22nd, 2005
• Pequde: Maintaining our belief in the goodness of people. - March 11th, 2005
• There Is A Kippah In The Rubble - April 15th, 2003

Categories: Shemini, Vayyiqra-Leviticus
Tags: Bo, human rights, palestinians, peace, settlers