From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
This week we read two Torah portions, Acharei and Kedoshim, the first of which begins: "And G-d spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons, when they approached before G-d, and they died."
Chasidut explains the reason Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu died: The sons of Aaron did not commit a sin in the usual sense. In fact, they were extremely holy and righteous people, whose only desire was to draw closer to G-d. Their "sin," as it were, was that they allowed themselves to reach such a heightened state of devotion and yearning that their physical bodies became superfluous. In their desire to merge with G-d, their souls simply left their bodies and they expired.
Why was this considered a sin, given that a Jew is supposed to constantly strive to serve G-d by rising above the physical world? The answer is that alongside the spiritual quest for enlightenment and improvement, every Jew is obligated to make a "dwelling place for G-d in the lower worlds." That is to say, to serve G-d to the best of his ability within the context of his mundane, day-to-day life. In Judaism, the objective is to function as a soul within a physical body, rather than on a purely spiritual plane. This was the sin of Nadav and Avihu, who wished to serve G-d only with their souls.
Every story in the Torah contains a practical lesson for every single Jew. Even the story of Nadav and Avihu, which at first glance seems to apply only to Jews on the very highest spiritual level, i.e., those whose souls are "in danger" of departing their bodies out of longing for G-d, is relevant to all Jews, regardless of spiritual level.
The reason is that every Jew experiences certain times when his Jewish soul becomes aroused and elevated, and attains a higher and purer level. This is especially true during "auspicious times" such as Shabbat and Yom Tov, or Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when every Jew "wakes up" and seeks to draw closer to G-d.
It is therefore most important that during these special times, when a Jew feels particularly close to G-d, he remembers that the ultimate purpose is to serve Him on the physical plane. Whenever a Jew feels spiritually aroused, he should immediately translate these feelings into actual deed, by resolving to strengthen his observance of Torah and mizvot. For the true goal of spiritual arousal is to positively influence our actions.
Reprinted from the Acharei Mos-Kedoshim 5762/2002 edition of L’Chaim. Adapted from Volume 3 of Likutei Sichot.
