Weekly Parsha

This Shabbat study is dedicated to the Refuah Sheleima (healing) of Shlomo Tamas ben Sarah (Freddy Thomas) and Malka Batya bat Tova. May they be granted a refuah shlemah - a complete and speedy recovery.

Here at our Community, they are in our prayers, thoughts and hearts.

Shlomo Tamas ben Sarah
Rabbi Refoel Pinchas ben Chaya Rivka
Malka Batya bat Tova
Rabbi Yeruham Fishel ben Nehama Pearl
Adira (Heidi) bat Sarah

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Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47

Concluding the 7 days of inauguration for the Mishkan (Portable Sanctuary), Aaron, the High Priest, brings sacrifices for himself and the entire nation. Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aaron, bring an incense offering on their own initiative, and are consumed by a heavenly fire (perhaps the only time when someone did something wrong and was immediately hit by "lightning").

The Cohanim are commanded not to serve while intoxicated. The inaugural service is completed. G-d then specifies the species which are kosher to eat: mammals (those that have cloven hoofs and chew their cud), fish (those with fins and scales), birds (certain non-predators), and certain species of locusts. The portion concludes with the laws of spiritual defilement from contact with the carcasses of certain animals.

* * *

"The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, each took his fire-pan, put fire in them and placed incense upon it; and they brought before G-d an alien fire that He had not commanded them" (Lev. 10:1).

Rashi cites the statement of Reb Yishmael in the Talmud that the transgression of Nadab and Abihu was that they drank wine before entering the Sanctuary. This statement appears remarkable. The Torah explicitly says that their sin was they brought an "alien fire". How and why does Reb Yishmael give another reason, which seems to contradict the Scripture?

Nadab and Abihu were extraordinarily great men, so much so that Moshe said that he considered them greater than himself and Aaron (Rashi, Lev. 1:3). If they drank wine before entering the Sanctuary, it was not because they were out partying. Rather, they knew that in the Sanctuary they would have a spiritual experience. They believed that by drinking wine they would attain a state of mind more conducive to a spiritual experience. After all, the Psalmist says, "Wine makes glad the heart of man" (Psalm 104:15). By relieving a person's tension, wine enables one to have greater joy, and joy can enhance a spiritual experience. It was for the intensification of the spiritual experience that they drank wine.

Why, then, were they so severely punished? Because one should not seek to enhance a spiritual experience by artificial means. Intense spiritual experiences should come as a result or prayer, Torah study, meditation with contemplation on the Infinite -- and doing the mitzvos -- not by altering the metabolism of the brain with a chemical. Nadab and Abihu's attempt to enhance the experience by drinking wine was introducing "an alien fire" into the Divine service.

Twenty years from now you will be
more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by
the ones you did do.

No G-d, no peace. Know G-d, know peace!

Shabbat Shalom!

***

COVID-19 Kids Activity List

We will be publishing a centralized directory of things to keep your children occupied with as all are currently home without school, and unable to go outside.

There are many Torah learning events, educational online events, entertainment for children, musical live streams etc.

PLEASE SEND ANY ITEMS YOU ARE AWARE OF TO HAVE THEM LISTED HERE TO INFO@BEITCHAI.COM

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST

COVID-19 Prayer List

If you have any Tehillim names of people who are hospitalized with COVID-19, please contact Beit Chai with those names to be added to the list.

Do NOT send us names from existing lists, and ONLY send us names you know personally. This is for COVID-19 victims ONLY. 

SEND THE NAMES TO INFO@BEITCHAI.COM

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST

Online Learning Program

We are excited to announce the American Jewish College Learning Program. Bezras Hashem, we will hosting a shiur with provided sources, followed by words of inspiration from Rabbi Tank. Please join us!

Refuah Sheleimah

May Hashem deliver us from this crisis speedily and grant a complete recovery to those who are ill, Amen!

Online Learning
Please email Rabbi Tank or text 917-834-4770

Mi Shebeirach (Praying for the sick) 
Please email Rabbi Tank or text 917-834-4770

Bikur Cholim (Visiting the sick)
Please email Rabbi Tank or text 917-834-4770

Koshering your house or business
Please email Rabbi Tank or text 917-834-4770

Register your family 
Click HERE 

Terumah (Contributions)
Now you can give your Maaser and Tzedakah HERE

"Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring an offering of the Almighty" (Exodus 35:5).

Those who bring the offerings should bring their hearts with their offering. It is not sufficient just to give a monetary donation. The Almighty wants our hearts, that is our thoughts and our emotions.

When you just give money to our institution, you help the cause for which you are giving. However, when you give with your heart, you are changing and elevating yourself as a person. Each donation makes you into a more giving person. Whenever you give, reflect before you give and then give with a full heart!