וַיִּקְחוּ בְנֵי־אַהֲרֹן נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וַיִּתְּנוּ בָהֵן אֵשׁ וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלֶיהָ קְטֹרֶת וַיַּקְרִיבוּ לִפְנֵי ד' אֵשׁ זָרָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא צִוָּה אֹתָם׃ וַתֵּצֵא אֵשׁ מִלִּפְנֵי ד' וַתֹּאכַל אוֹתָם וַיָּמֻתוּ לִפְנֵי ד

Aharon’s sons Nadav and Avihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before Hashem alien fire, which had not been commanded to them. And fire came forth from Hashem and consumed them; thus they died before Hashem. (10:1-2)

Midrash Sifra states that what motivated Nadav and Avihu to offer the אש זרה, the unauthorized Ketores (incense) offering, was that when the fire from Heaven descended and burned the sacrifices on the Altar they saw Hashem’s infinite love for the בני ישראל, the Children of Israel.Because of that they became so overcome with love for Hashem that they wanted to reciprocate with their own expression of love. That was their Ketores offering.

This sounds quite noble but good intentions aren’t enough.

This can be explained through a parable. A king sent an ambassador to deliver a message to another king. He warned the ambassador that while he is in that kingdom he may not make any kind of wager with anyone. The ambassador was dispatched and he delivered the message. The king who received the message turned to the ambassador and said,” I have just one question for you. Why was I insulted by your king that he sent me a hunchback to deliver this message?”

“I’m not a hunchback,” replied the surprised ambassador.

“Yes you are,” said the king. “I can tell you’re a hunchback and you’re covering it up!”

“I am not a hunchback!,” replied the ambassador.

“Okay,” said the king.” I’ll bet a million gold coins to your king that you are!”

The ambassador had to make a decision fast. His king warned him not to make any wagers. But this was a sure way to make a million gold coins for him. Surely he didn’t mean a situation like this!

The ambassador proceeded to remove his shirt and undressed to the waist. There was nothing to debate. He was not a hunchback and the million gold coins were delivered.

The ambassador was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to tell the king.

When the king heard what happened he became furious. “Didn’t I tell you no wagers!” he yelled.

“Yes,” replied the ambassador.” But now your majesty has gained a million gold coins!”

“Well,” said the king.” I made a bet with that king for ten million gold coins that he could never get one of my men to take off his shirt!”

Our mission in life is to heed the word of Hashem. Even if we have the best intentions in how we want to serve Him,as Nadav and Avihu had, it must conform with His will. Only He knows why things have to be the way they are and how they will affect His plans for Heaven and Earth. We must therefore abandon our best intended plans and serve Him in the way He has told us to.

On a similar note, we find in the book of Tehilim (Psalms), King David asks Hashem בחניני ונסיני, test me and challenge me regarding my obedience to You. He wanted to be tested so that he too could be counted amongst the Patriarchs, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. He was tested and he fell short. Because of this Our Sages warn a person not to put themselves into a situation where their devotion to Hashem will be tested.It’s too risky and surely not worth it if you fail. This is why we have a prayer in the Birchot HaShachar (the Morning Blessings) אל תביאנו … ולא לידי נסיון , “Do not bring us …to be tested.”

Now, if this was a mistake on King David's part, why are his words, בחניני ונסיני, "Test me and challenge me," included in the book of Tehilim (Psalms)?

Rav Yitzchok Hutner z"l answered that these words of King David expressed his burning desire to show his loyalty to Hashem. Although we pray every day not to be tested, we should have that desire expressed by David to show our loyalty to Hashem. And if a test does come our way we are ready to accept it because we so strongly desire to show Hashem our loyalty.

We may have plans and even hopes of how we want to serve Hashem. But at the end of the day following the way He wants us to serve Him is the only and best path for us to take.

Shabbat Shalom!
Yitzchak