THERE IS A minhag for tzaddikim to fast on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, even though we normally do not fast on a Rosh Chodesh. The reason for the exception? Because it was the day that Nadav and Avihu were struck down by God for bringing a “strange fire” on the eighth day of the inauguration ceremony. Just like that one of the happiest days in Jewish history became one of the saddest.

THIS SHABBOS IS also Parashas Parah. As we learn in Parashas Naso, a person who has become defiled by contact with the dead (no, not through a séance) is ineligible to eat from the Korban Pesach. By being sprinkled with the water of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) was the process a person underwent to become ritually pure again. Hence, we recall that halachah in advance of Pesach.

PARASHAS ZACHOR IN a non-leap year usually falls on Shabbos Parashas Tetzaveh. But in a leap year, as this year is, it falls on Shabbos Parashas Vayikra, and that is such amazing Hashgochah Pratis. It’s gotta mean something.

SOME OF YOU might have wondered at some point if it is the parsha that inspires me to write what I do about the current world situation or, the opposite. The answer is that it depends upon the week, and sometimes it is both at the same time.

JEWISH HISTORY IS complicated. All history is complicated, but Jewish history is particularly complicated because it tends to be convoluted as well.