A Reaction to Personal Tragedy

A Taste of Text—Shemini

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A Reaction to Personal Tragedy: A Taste of Text—Shemini

Though we are not expected to react like Aaron, our own lives are rarely easy. To accept life’s challenges, we need to cultivate our faith that G‑d runs the world.

Handouts:	Shemini
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Nadab & Abihu, Aaron, Pain, Suffering & Tragedy, Shemini

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By Chana Weisberg

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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6 Comments

Pachley Forbes Nassau March 29, 2019

Maybe AAron kept silent because it was a Shabbat. Reply

Gary Boston March 18, 2019

If G-d runs the world than why does He inflict suffering upon his children. I understand that we are not immortal, but why must a loved one suffer before death. Reply

Anonymous sakaka Aljouf,saudi arabia April 9, 2013

Reaction to Personal Tragedy. Thank G-d ,always am lucky ,for the comfort I find through this astounding and miraculous,extraordinary incident of Aaron's sons.
Silence after calamity is incomprehensible thing but it denotes alot of profound meanings ;looking inside oneself,turning sadness into joyous moment ! Reply

Anonymous Arizona, USA April 6, 2013

A Reaction To Personal Tragedy Silence could also means meditation. When something as critical as such happens, there are questions. Would there be answers? G-d is unfathomable. Days ago, I used to believe that all the evil in this world was man made. I could never, nor do I today, believe that something like the Holocaust was G-d's will. It was done by an evil man who wanted to control the world. And the Jewish people was one of those people he wanted to show his power to. G-d might have allowed this evil to happen for whatever His reasons are. But I believe in the reward. Like R. Akiba's tortured death, the Jewish people will have their reward soon. Like the Exodus from Egypt, the whole world will know that there is only One G-d. Hashem, blessed be He, might be silent, but He is very aware of what is going on in the world. This is His world, He created it, and continues to do so. And will also redeem those who loves Him and serve Him. We might not understand w/our limited minds, but He knows. Baruch Hashem! Reply

Anonymous Waynesville, NC April 17, 2012

Parasha I wanted to look up the Torah portion for this week to see what is going on, due to my daughter giving pre-term birth to a stillborn baby on Monday night. I found it amazed that the title is Personal Tragedy. I find it Hashem is so good and it astounds me how he knew what we would need for this week. Reply

florida macabiog Toronto, Canada April 16, 2012

Chana Weisberg I am a gentile but a Jewish in heart, mind and soul. I thank you for the insights. Now I understand Job in the Book of Job. True, I must have a balance of my ratzo and shov and be a light to this world so full of pain and suffering. Thank G-d He is G-d. HE, blessed be He is incomprehensible and Sovereign!
Let us Bless His Name forever. Blessed be the Name of Hashem forever! Amen! Reply

A Taste of Text

Each 20-minute video class uses a text from the weekly Torah portion to convey a contemporary insight on leading a more enriched life. Source sheets are included to help students follow along and gain a "taste" of the actual texts studied.

A Reaction to Personal Tragedy: A Taste of Text—Shemini

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