By Avner Friedmann
It was on the first day of Nisan, the eighth day of the inauguration service, when the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) was erected. The Shechinah (Divine Presence) entered and the Kohanim, Aaron and his four sons, assumed their new roll. Just when the ritual reached its peak, tragedy struck. Aaron’s two older sons, Nadav and Avihu, lost their lives.
Aaron was grieved and thought to himself, “Perhaps my sons died because they were not righteous”, until he heard from Moshe how righteous his sons really were in the eyes of HaShem,[1] “Of this did HaShem speak, saying: “I will be sanctified through those who are nearest to Me, thus I will be honored before the entire people”.
Once Aaron heard this, he fully accepted it and kept silent, as it is written[2]: “and Aaron kept silent.” Any other parent in his place, hearing about his son’s greatness moments after his death, would burst into tears and wailing, but Aaron kept silent[3].
Aaron demonstrated a tremendous self discipline and total recognition that HaShem’s judgment is perfect, exact and fair, as scripture states[4]: “HaShem has given and HaShem has taken away, blessed be the Name of Hashem.”
Rashi comments[5] that HaShem rewarded Aaron for being silent after the death of his sons. He honored Aaron by addressing him directly, as written[6]: “HaShem spoke to Aaron saying…”
Aaron reached the ultimate level of parenthood. This is because the primary goal of Jewish parents is to see to it that their children grow up to be good, G-d-fearing Jews who serve HaShem with love and fear, learn His Torah and keep His mitzvot [7].
Aaron’s acceptance was not only in his outward appearance. He fully accepted to the depths of his heart as well. Though he was in pain, he kept his inner joy. The proof is the prophecy he received immediately after, as mentioned above. Our holy books tell us that HaShem only reveals Himself through prophecy to those who have gladness and joy in their heart.
The Torah tells us of another occasion in which Aaron demonstrated his tremendous humility and inner joy. This was when he was told that his younger brother, Moshe, would become the redeemer and the leader of the Jewish people. HaShem Himself attested to Aaron’s inner joy, as the Torah states[8]: “Behold, he is going out to meet you (Moshe) and when he sees you he will rejoice in his heart.”
Rashi writes that this is contrary to the assumption one might have, that Aaron, who was the leader of Israel at the time, would feel threatened by his younger brother’s rise to leadership. Nonetheless, his lack of jealousy and happiness for his brother was so significant in HaShem’s eyes, that He mentioned it in His Torah as a lesson for all generations.
May Aaron’s great humility, inner joy and righteousness be a source of great inspiration to us. May we learn to follow the advice of Rabbi Shimon ben Rabban Gamliel, who said,[9] “All the days of my life I grew up among the Sages and did not find anything better for a person than silence.”
[1] Vayikra 10:3.
[2] Ibid
[3] Siftei Kohen in Vayikra 10:1.
[4] 1:21.
[5] On the verse.
[6] 10:8-11.
[7] Rabbi Yaakov Skili in Torat Hamincha, drasha 43.
[8] Shemot 4:14.
[9] Avot 1:17.
