Page 46 - HaMizrachi #28 Pesach USA 2021

PESACH READING SEVENTH DAY

Rabbi Ari Kahn

Nachshon,

Jumping Into the Sea

n the day of the consecration of fire.” While this tragedy most certainly amounted to a battlefield. On the other
the Tabernacle in the desert, the marred the joy of the consecration of the hand, there was no need for Nadav and
OTribe of Yehuda, represented by Tabernacle, the day on which Nachshon’s Avihu’s gesture. The fire they brought
Nachshon ben Aminadav, was chosen leadership was acknowledged by the seems to have had no other purpose
to be the first of the 12 tribes to pres- nation, there is a far deeper connection than self-aggrandizement. For the sake
ent their offering. The Torah does not between these two events. Nadav and of “making their mark,” they performed
offer an explanation as to why this tribe, Avihu were Nachshon’s nephews, sons an unnecessary ritual. Their behavior
descendants of the fourth son of Ya’akov, of his sister Elisheva. was apparently motivated by the desire
should now be first. In the Midrash, Elisheva is introduced not only as the to be important, to be famous, to bask
however, Rabbinic tradition records the daughter of Aminadav, but as the sister in the spotlight on that important day –
backstory: the distinction of being first of Nachshon. Regarding this verse, Rashi just like their uncle.
to consecrate the Altar was bestowed by transmits a bit of advice our Sages give Rabbinic tradition criticizes Nadav and
G-d – not to the tribe of Yehuda gener- about marriage: when choosing a wife, a Avihu for failing to consult another of
ally, but to Nachshon personally. man would do well to consider the traits their uncles regarding their desire to
Not long after the Israelites left Egypt, of her brothers, because often the chil- bring an unsanctioned offering – their
they discovered they were being pur- dren take after their maternal uncles. uncle Moshe, who certainly knew a
sued. The path ahead led straight to the This insight into human nature may help thing or two about Divine service.
sea, and there was no way out. They us reconstruct what happened on the 1st The contrast between Nachshon on
were trapped between the water and of Nissan, when the Tabernacle became the one hand and Nadav and Avihu
the mighty Egyptian military machine. operational. On that day, Nachshon was on the other, provides an excellent
While the Jews must have known that rewarded for his bravery. He was chosen example of real leadership in times of
G-d, who had performed so many mir- to be the first, just as he had been the crisis, as opposed to opportunism or
acles before their eyes, could save them, first to take action on that fateful day at shallow attempts to generate headlines
they seemed paralyzed. One person, the sea, when the Israelites were being or make the evening news. Nachshon
Nachshon, took initiative and leapt pursued by the Egyptians. was rewarded for his bravery, for his
into the water. As the water reached Nadav and Avihu, who took after their bold step toward freedom and his leap
his nostrils, the sea split, and the rest of uncle, had similar gumption. They too of faith, whereas Nadav and Avihu were
the Jews followed him across the parted took initiative. They offered a “strange punished for their self-serving public
waters to safety. fire” they had not been commanded to relations initiative.
1
Nachshon’s story is a shining example offer. Perhaps they saw themselves as
of the importance of leadership and being like their uncle – who was lauded 1 For more on Nadav, Avihu, and Nachshon, see
initiative. Often, people recognize the by G-d and the entire nation on that very Echoes of Eden: Vayikra (2013: Gefen Publishing
need for decisive action and clamor for day. Why, we might ask, were the results House and OU Press), pp. 53-65.
change. Yet this cannot take the place of the nephews’ initiative so tragically
of leadership, of the bravery of the van- different to the results of the uncle’s
guard who takes the first step – or leap. brave leap forward?
There is, however, a tragic side to this Nachshon leapt when there was no
story. On the very day Nachshon was choice; there could have been only two Rabbi Ari Kahn is an author, educator and
rewarded for his leadership and his outcomes. Either G-d would accept Rabbi of the Mishkan Etrog community in
display of faith in G-d, the first day of his gesture as an expression of faith Givat Ze’ev. His most recent book is “The
the month of Nissan, something else and split the sea, or the Jews would be Crowns on the Letters”.
happened. Two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav slaughtered. His heroism was rewarded A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
and Avihu, died while offering a “strange because he took action on what mizrachi.org/speakers

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