This week’s Haftorah (Shmuel II, 6) contains many lessons. The Haftorah recounts the Aron HaKodesh’s (Holy Ark’s) long journey back from the Plishtim. Dovid Hamelech first attempted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem with a festive parade on a brand new oxen-drawn cart. The Navi tells us that Dovid and the entire multitude that were accompanying the Aron HaKodesh played musical instruments in front of it. When the procession reached Goren Nachon, the Ark’s weight shifted so that it appeared in danger of falling. Uza, one of those guiding the wagon, reached out and grasped the Ark to steady it. (The Ark could not fall as it ‘carried itself’.) The Navi tells us that Hashem was angered by Uza’s actions and struck Uza dead.

Many of the Meforshim explain that the reason we read this Haftorah for Parshas Shemini is because Uza’s death mirrors to some extent that of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu. The latter were killed by Hashem because they brought a ‘foreign’ fire into the Mishkan. The two episodes do parallel each other, and both are troubling. They create a certain apprehension concerning Avodas Hashem, and leave us with a feeling that Avodas Hashem can place our lives in peril.

Dovid Hamelech indeed became frightened by Uza’s death, and temporarily halted the Ark’s travel. When Dovid eventually brought the Ark back he had Leviyim carry it as prescribed on their shoulders, and the king danced fervently and wildly in front of it. This presents us (see Chosom Sofer) with yet another question: when Dovid Hamelech originally attempted to bring back the Ark, he wasn’t afraid, and did so to the accompaniment of musical instruments. In light of the first attempt’s fatal consequences, he was now fearful but nonetheless danced wildly. Why did the king on this second and successful attempt seem not to be scared?

Reb Nachman says that it is a big mitzvah to be always happy. The Kutzker was once asked if Reb Nachman was right in saying so. The Kutzker replied: “I am not aware of any such Mitzvah, but generally one is happy if one is doing Mitzvos, while one who doesn’t do Mitzvos is seldom happy.

We say in Tehilim to rejoice (when serving Hashem) in trepidation.

Dovid Hamelech knew from the start that one must approach the Ark with trepidation, yet he erred in exactly how to go about transferring it. The second time around Dovid Hamelech did it the right way. Therefore, even though more fearful than earlier, he still was able to rejoice wildly.

Perhaps the Haftorah is really letting us know the secret to deciphering which Avodas are safe for us to do and which aren’t. We must have trepidation in all aspects of our Avodas Hashem but, as the Kutzker said, if we aren’t also happy there must be a fault in our Avodas Hashem. When we truly serve Hashem we will always be content even when we must be scared.

A very warm Good Shabbos, Rabbi Y. Dov Krakowski