June 10, 2005
A quality of children
I know this is from last week's Torah reading.
In the census of the Jews in last week's Parsha (Torah reading) when the Torah mentions Aharon's progeny it mentions about Nadav and Avihu that "... they had no children." The simple meaning is that that's where their lineage ended.
However Rabbi Nachshoni cites "Toras Moshe" the work of the Chasam Sofer, that their not having children is what led to their early deaths. The Midrash cites bad behavior on the part of Nadav and Avihu that demonstrates arrogance. (They chose to decide a halacha [law] on their own without consulting Moshe and Aharon; or they wondered when their elders would pass on and give them a chance for greatness.)
Rabbi Nachshoni explains that when people have children the children moderate the parents' behavior. A parent will be more careful so as not to be a bad influence on his/her children. If Nadav and Avihu had had children they would not have reached the level arrogance they did that led to their demise.
This particular explanation resonates with me because the first time I saw it was 14 years ago, when I had been a father for just a few months.
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It is not only that moderate the parents' behavior, children tame the inherent arrogance of the parent. Faced with the necessity of raising the children, the manifold problems that can occur, the realization of the ease of failure, ...
It is a humbling experience to see a newborn infant and be hit with the realization of what is in store.
I find I also try to be a better person, to be an example to the children. (Even though they are my step-children, not biological.)
Posted by: Mirty at June 12, 2005 12:49 AMHope this is true, at the rate I'm having children, I ought to live to be 100! Thanks for sharing....from a fellow Dad!
Posted by: K. Brown at June 13, 2005 04:00 PM