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appearance is deeper than the skin of the flesh; it is the affliction
of tzara’at (Leviticus 13:3). The phrase “deeper than the skin” achrei mOt ת ֹומ י ֵרֲח ַא
alludes to the source of the disease being deeper than the superficial
physiological symptom alone. Furthermore, the cohen’s extensive
role in identifying the disease and shepherding the metzora through
the healing process emphasizes the spiritual causes of the disease and
the need to treat it spiritually as well as physically. £Nadav, Avihu, and Yom KippurNadav, Avihu, and Yom KippurNadav, Avihu, and Yom Kippur
££
Later Jewish writings, such as the Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalah,
and Chassidut, are replete with references to disease. Furthermore,
they explain the causes of disease and provide advice on how to heal it, In Achrei Mot the Torah sets out the Yom Kippur laws for the first
as well as on how to engage in healthy living. Rambam, for example, time. Somewhat surprisingly, the detailed description of the High
wrote extensively about medicine and the prevention of disease, Priest’s service on Yom Kippur is introduced as following Nadav and 12
and his teachings had a profound effect on the medical profession in Avihu’s deaths: “And God spoke to Moses after the death of the two
his time and long afterwards. All these teachings are predicated on sons of Aaron, when they approached God and they died” (Leviticus
the belief that sickness is intrinsically connected to one’s attitudes, 16:1). In Shemini we discussed some of Nadav and Avihu’s possible
actions, and belief system, and that sickness is ultimately a wake-up wrongdoings and posited a few reasons why Nadav and Avihu – for
call, reminding the individual to change his or her mores and ways. better or for worse – may have taken the step they did. However, we
were still left unsure of exactly why they acted as they did.
Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh notes that the Hebrew letters chet and
lamed, the root letters for the Hebrew word choleh (sick), appear in This link with Yom Kippur provides us with a fresh and vital clue
several words denoting sickness and weakness, including machalah for understanding their story, for it turns out that Nadav and Avihu,
(sickness) and chalash (weak). Paradoxically these letters also form even before the laws of Yom Kippur had been given, did precisely
the root for the Hebrew word denoting strength and valor (chayil). what the High Priest would be commanded to do during one of the
In Aramaic this same two-letter root can mean either bitter or most climactic moments on this most holy of days: bring incense
sweet. Rabbi Ginsburgh explains that this paradoxical linguistic on a fire pan into the Holy of Holies. Therefore, even though they
phenomenon alludes to the fact that sickness can lead to either obviously did something wrong, there actions must have also had
weakness and possibly death (the word meaning “corpse” [challal] also tremendous import and meaning. In fact, this may have been alluded
contains these two letters) or if understood properly can ultimately to by Moses’ cryptic words to Aaron after his sons died: “Moses said
strengthen and even save the sufferer. Salvation is predicated on the to Aaron: ‘Of this did God speak, saying: “I will be sanctified before
patient understanding the spiritual causes of the sickness, drawing those who are nearest Me, thus I will be honored before the entire
the proper conclusions, and making the necessary lifestyle changes. people.”’ Rashi comments that Moses comforted his brother Aaron
(Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Body, Mind and Soul, pp. 127-131) by telling him that he knew through prophecy that God’s glory would
be sanctified by someone on the day the Tabernacle was dedicated.
This understanding of disease is superbly illustrated by the effects
of a fever. On the one hand, fever makes us weak and sick (and can Moses thought it would be Aaron or himself, yet now he understood
even kill us), but, on the other hand, it is a crucial part of the body’s that Nadav and Avihu were greater than either of them.
mechanism for fighting illness. From a traditional Jewish perspective, To understand the deeper connection between Yom Kippur and
sickness and disease (like all suffering) are treated as an opportunity Nadav and Avihu’s lives and deaths, we need to delve deeper into

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