Parshat Bamidbar
June 3, 2000
Helen Spirn

In our modern, materialistic society, people tend to focus on their personal needs and overlook the ethical and spiritual values espoused by our Torah.  Even our seemingly isolated world of Orthodox Jewry is deeply influenced by this cultural malaise and is finally recognizing and addressing various issues which affect our daily lives.

Specifically, the plight of our “children at risk” has finally been given the prominence it deserves. Baruch Hashem, there are laymen and professionals working together to address the problems afflicting our youth.  Perhaps we then ought to realize that it is not only our children, but also we, the parents, who are at risk. We need to work together, young and old, to protect ourselves, ensure our spiritual well being, and maintain the sense of family, which is so critical to Yahadut.

In this week’s Torah reading, Hashem asks for another census of the Jewish people, thereby reiterating His love for us as a nation and as individuals.  Toward the end of this census, we are reintroduced to the family of Aharon Hakohen and mention is again made to the tragic deaths of his two sons, Nadav and Avihu. The Torah repeats that they died for offering unauthorized sacrifices. This episode, is mentioned twice earlier in Sefer Vayikra, and is mentioned again later in Sefer Bamidbar.  

Here, however, the Torah adds a detail: “They had no children.” Chazal tell us that this is why they were killed. But how can that be? Is not having children sufficient reason for such a horrible death?

The Chatam Sofer clarifies that their not having children was not the cause of their punishment, but rather the reason why they were not saved from punishment. After their sin, they lacked this potential zechut—the merit of children. Had Nadav and Avihu raised G-d-fearing children, they would have been saved from the wrath of Hashem.

It is vital for us to acknowledge that by raising G-d-fearing, loving children we enhance our own lives and the lives of those around us.  Our children have the potential to be moral champions and spiritual role models to old and young alike. Often, children who are steeped in the study of Torah and gemilut chasadim, cause their parents and siblings to reevaluate their own lives, and to be drawn closer to the path of Torah and mitzvot.

In sending our children to study Torah here or in Eretz Yisrael, we encourage our children’s religious growth, which many times reverberates back to us as well. 

We are approaching the chag of Shavuot and the reaffirmation of kabbalat ol Torah. We recall Maamad Har Sinai, where we all stood united as one nation, young and old, parent and child.  May we have the zechut to raise children who are spiritual and ethical role models, and may they be a zechut for us, as parents, in the eyes of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

Helen Spirn

Helen Spirn is principal of Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach in Long Beach, New York.