The parshiyot at the end of Vayikra examine issues of tuma, impurity, toharah, ritual purity, approaching God, and holiness. All of these concepts are interconnected. You cannot draw close to God without holiness and purity. Yet even coming close to God can make one impure.
Akhrei Mot, begins after the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, who died when they drew too close to God. The parasha continues, describing the Yom Kippur rite of the scapegoat, an expiation meant to purify the people Israel. To fulfill this ritual, Aaron must first be spiritually pure. The state one occupies when approaching God is of utmost importance. Without such purity all involved are at risk.
When people approach God with impurity, without modesty, as if they alone hold the knowledge of what is right, without thought of others or of God, they risk us all. When individuals call upon Divine power to do their bidding, whether claiming the one true religion or an individual Divine right over all others, it is not holy and pure, but hurtful and evil. As with Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed from within, the idea of Divine power can eat away at one’s humanity and his/her ability to see the humanity of others.
We have seen much politicing and mudslinging over the past few weeks. Let us hope that once in power that our leaders choose to lead with a spirit of purity, and not allow the power with which we invest them to consume them from within.
