Midrash Sifra states that Nadav and Avihu brought the אש זרה, the unwanted incense offering, as recorded in this week’s parsha because 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. They were so overcome with love for Hashem that they wanted to reciprocate with their own expression of love. That was the קטרת (the incense) they brought.
If so, why were they punished so severely for what they did? Didn’t they mean well? 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 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 a hunchback!”
The ambassador had to make a decision. 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 I made for the king a million gold coins!”
“So you did,” said the king. “But I made a wager 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. He knows why things have to be the way they are and therefore we must abandon our best intended plans to serve Him to the way He has told us.
There is another lesson that is similar to this one. In the book of Tehilim (Psalms), King David asks Hashem בחניני ונסיני, test me and challenge me. 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 Chazal are critical of a person who puts himself into a situation where he will be tested. This is why every day we ask Hashem אל תביאנו כו’ ולא לידי נסיון , “Do not bring us …to be tested.”
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 Dovid expressed his burning desire to show his loyalty to Hashem. The problem is that putting yourself into a challenging situation is risky business and not worth it if you fail. Therefore we daven every day not to be tested.
But we should have that desire expressed by Dovid 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 a way that we want to serve Hashem. But following His way always comes first.
This a very appropriate message for the situation we find ourselves in now. We would surely like to be back to the way life was just a short time ago. However, Hashem has in mind the best for us in His plans and it’s our mission to carry out His will. That’s what we call Bitachon, trust in Hashem.
And every day we recite the following verses in our Morning Prayers that convey the power of Bitachon:
השם צְבָקות עִמָּנוּ. מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ אֱלקי יַעֲקב סֶלָה: השם צְבָקות אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בּטֵחַ בָּךְ: השם הושִׁיעָה. הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיום קָרְאֵנוּ
Hashem, Master of Legions is with us, a stronghold for us is the G-d of Jacob, forever. Hashem, Master of Legions, praiseworthy is the person who trusts in you. Hashem, save! May the king answer us on the day we call!
Shabbat Shalom!
Yitzchak