More sacrifices? Leviticus… OY! Parsha Sh’mini I is about sacrifices but has an interesting subplot whereby two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, do a bit of drinking and decide to freestyle how they make the sacrifice. They pay the ultimate price.

Let’s bring this forward a bit.

Don’t drink and sacrifice? When you’re doing something important, it’s probably not a good idea to impair your judgement. This is alluded to in the verses following Nadab’s and Abihu’s deaths when it’s written “do not drink wine more strong spirits… when you go into the Tent of Meeting… that you may differentiate between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean…”

Choices have consequences; choose well

Thank you to Rabbi David Lyon for the insights he shared in his dvar Torah When We Seek God as a Partner.