Shemini: The Purpose of Wine

Joy can be internally generated as a product of one's reflection on the connotations of Hashem's desire to have a relationship with man. There is also externally generated joy, stimulated by alcohol, justifiable only in the right context. While there are specific times when wine is prescribed by our Sages, when entering into the Mishkan of Divine service one must arouse a deeper, more essential joy. This shiur was given one day after Shacharis during the week of Parshas Shemini in 5763/2003.

Shemini: Vayidom - And He Spoke?

Yesterday after davening, the Rebbe, shlit"a, spoke briefly about Aharon's supposed silence upon the death of Nadav and Avihu.

The pasuk says, "vayidom Aharaon" which is generally translated as "and Aharon was silent". Is silence really the best response?

Another issue is that the word shtikah demonstrates silence much better than "vayidom". Also, Chazal tell us that as a reward for Aharon's reaction to the dreadful news he was rewarded by Hashem speaking the next parsha expressly to him. Where is the measure-for-measure? By Aharon's silence he is rewarded with speaking?  The Rebbe answers these questions in this short clip.

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Drops of Rain: Behar 5771

Great news!

The Rebbe gave the weekly gilyon an official title: Drops of Rain. It is based on the Medrash in Parshas Vayechi on the pasuk of וידגו לרב בקרב הארץ, v'yidgu larov b'kerev haaretz. The Medrash says, "Just as fish who live in water rush to the surface to catch a drop of rain from above, so too Bnai Yisroel who live in the waters of Torah, when they hear a new Torah thought, rush to receive it eagerly, as though they had never heard Torah before."

Here is the first official edition of Drops of Rain, for Parshas Behar.

Shemini: Authenticy Cannot Be Dependent

This shiur is was given one day after Shacharis during the week of Parshas Shemini 5767 (2007).

Our Sages are very bothered with figuring out where Nadav and Avihu's approach went awry. Some say because they answered a halachic query in front of Moshe Rabeinu. Another opinion is that they were not married. The most famous reason given by Chazal is that they drank wine before they entered the Kodesh HaKadoshim (Holy of Holies).

The Rebbe suggested the following: At our own level, we understand the importance of living life joyfully, and certainly Nadav and Avihu understood how important it is to serve Hashem with a joyful heart. Concerned about the fact that their joy may not have reached the necessary quality, they sought to amplify it by drinking wine, which they intended, would liberate some extra measure of joy.