This week again, we read two Parshiyot: Acharei Mos and Kedoshim.

Acharei Mos follows the death of Aharon’s two sons:Nadav and Avihu, after they brought up a “strange fire” to Hashem in the Holy of Holies. G-d gives instructions about not entering the Holy of Holies except for the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. The Torah then continues speaking more on the topic of Yom Kippur.

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The Parsha of Kedoshim, which means “holy ones” lists dozens of Miztvot through which a Jew sanctifies himself and relates to G-d. Some of these include: the laws of Shabbat, Charity, the sanctity of human life, honoring one’s parents and loving a fellow Jew. 

Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer, May 16, is a festive day on the Jewish calendar that honors Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It is celebrated with outings , bonfires, parades and other joyous events.

We also celebrate another event: during the omer, many of the students of Rabbi Akiva (the student of Rabbi Shimon) were dying because they were not respecting one another. On Lag Baomer, the plague stopped.

On the 14th of Iyar is Pesach Sheni, the Second Passover. When the jews were in the desert, many were impure and couldn't bring the Paschal sacrifice. G-d gave them this day, a month later to do so. Pesach Sheni teaches us that when we really want to do a good deed, even if it doesn't work out the first time, we always have a second chance.

Menachem Posner

It is great Divine Providence that the week we learn about loving a fellow Jew is the week of Lag Baomer. Rabbi Akiva famously said that this commandment is “ a major principle of the Torah.”

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Judaism is much more than a religion; we are a single soul radiating into many bodies, bonding them as one. A healthy body is one where every part works in harmony. A healthy Jewish people is one big, caring family where each individual loves the other like his or her own self. Where one Jew faces rough times and the others hold his hands. Where one meets good fortune and all of us celebrate. Where no one is labeled or alienated for his or her beliefs, behaviors or background. 

Adapted from Chabad.org

Nadav and Avihu did a good  thing, they brought G-d a sacrifice. Why then did they die? 

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Nadav and Avihu had the desire and passion to be close to Hashem but were unable to channel the inspiration and return to their physical lives. Their death was not a punishment, it was a result of their intense desire. Our purpose is to use the physical elements in this world for holiness and elevate them. Through this work, ultimately, the entire world gets elevated until it is a ready vessel to greet Moshiach.

Dama ben Nesina was the head of the city council of the city of Ashkelon. Once, during the times of the Holy Temple, a gemstone on the breastplate worn by the High Priest – the choshen – was lost. The rabbis were informed that Dama ben Nesina, a non-Jew, was in possession of such a stone. They went to him and negotiated a price of 100 dinars for the stone. He went to the upper floor of his home to fetch it from the chest in which it was kept and found his father sleeping. Some say that the key to the chest was in his father’s fingers; others say his father’s foot was resting on the chest.

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In any event, he descended and told them, “I cannot bring it to you.” They thought that it was a negotiating tactic and that he merely wanted more money. They raised the price to 200 dinars, then to a 1,000. Still, he remained resolute and declined. When his father woke up from his sleep, he went up and brought it to them. The rabbis wanted to give him the sum that they had last mentioned, but he refused. He said: “Would I sell my father’s honor for money? I will not make any profit from honoring my father! You will only pay the sum we originally agreed to.”

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Yitzchak Zweig