Achrei Moth- Kedoshim:  Dying for sins

This weeks double parsha is contextualized after the death of  the sons of Aaron, when they, uninvited,  approached  to face Gd.  Immediately thereafter, Moshe instructs Aaron to enter the inner sanctum only on the Yom Kippur after a chorigraphed foreplay ritual.  Entry into the inner sanctum requires Gd's consent, and that is scheduled for Yom Kippur.  The visit to the Holy of Holies  must be done for the purpose  of expiation, with smoke and animal blood.  Doing it in any other way, for any other reason, can be fatal.  Deviations from the formula had led to the deaths of two of Aaron's sons. 

Nadav and Avihu had died for a sin they did not know.  The warning about unwelcome advance into the sanctum had not been expressed prior to their erroneous adventure. The danger of their action was unknown to them, they died for their sins without warning. Presumably, the inner sanctum, on most days, is naturally toxic - in the absence of  preparation.  It is the nature of the place.  Their warning was the ancient tradition: trespass is forbidden and dangerous This is an admonition passed down from parent to child, echoing back to Adam in the garden. 

The second parsha, Kedoshim, hints at the  dual sources of instruction: parents and the Sabbath.אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ

You shall each revere his mother and his father, and keep My sabbaths:

The Sabbath is an exemplar of the Divine ordinances, as stated in the Torah.  And it is more.  It is also an interpretation of nature, a way to organize.  The weekly day of rest is also a method of self preservation .  The Sabbath unifies the stories of creation and  liberation with the flow of time. 

This introductory verse states the two (or more)  valid  sources tradition.  Parents and Torah inform us of the boundries, and thus preserve us safe. It is our job to explore, but we need to be aware of the danger. 

Be careful. Be polite.  Be true to yourself