Parshas Shemini 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
וידבר ה' אל אהרן לאמר. יין ושכר אל תשת אתה ובניך אתך בבאכם אל אהל מועד ... (י-ח,ט)
In the aftermath of the tragedy of losing two of his sons, Aharon HaKohen displayed tremendous gevurah and strength of character, remaining silent and not questioning Hashem’s action. He was repaid for this by being the recipient of the divine word prohibiting the performance of the avodah while intoxicated. The Chasam Sofer zt”l explains that it wasn’t a simple payback that he received the dvar Hashem. Moshe Rabbeinu was not able to receive it; only his brother Aharon was. Because the halacha dictates that to be qualified to hear a prophecy or directive from Hashem, one cannot be in a status of עצבות (sadness). Moshe Rabbeinu, Klal Yisroel’s רועה נאמן, in order to be נושא בעול חבירו and feel someone else’s pain, was deeply saddened at the loss of his nephews and as such was not in a state to hear the Voice of Hashem. Aharon, on the other hand, rose to the task, and with Herculean strength, tranquilly accepted the decree, was thus worthy of Hashem speaking directly to him.
This machshava is complemented by a vort quoted in the name of the Chofetz Chaim zt”l. He asks, why does the Torah specifically use the word "וידום" to advise of Aharon’s reticence, and not a different expression that also connotes silence, such as ויחרש or וישתוק? His answer is powerful: One might be able to control his verbal reactions to events taking place around him, even though they may not be to his liking. Still and all, his facial expressions will continue to exhibit his displeasure, anger, or sadness. That’s וישתוק. On the other hand, וידום shares a root with the word דומם, an inanimate object. Aharon HaKohen reached such a level that he was like a table or a statue; totally complacent with, and fully acceptant of Hashem’s plan. Thus, he was immediately rewarded by receiving the next parsha of שתויי יין. Now, with the chag of emunah behind us, let us put into practice the realization that "כל מה דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד" - all that He’s done throughout our long and arduous golus was and is לטב for our good. Through this, may we merit to see His imminent salvation, speedily, and in our days.
