WHY DID THEY DIE?

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Why did Nadav and Avihu die? On the holiest day, in the holiest place, they brought an unauthorized fire—and were consumed by God’s fire. Were they arrogant? Were they drunk? Were they idealists? Rabbi Dunner’s shiur on Parshat Shemini explores the conflicting views of Chazal and the commentaries, the deeper message behind their deaths, and what Rav Kook’s response to the “strange fire” of modernity can teach us about leadership and humility today.