The Yahrtzeit of Aharon haKohen

Aaron the kohen ascended Mount Hor at the Lord's bidding and died there, on the first day of the fifth month (Av) in the fortieth year of the children of Israel's exodus from Egypt.                Numbers 33:38

            Of the three children of Amram, the leaders of the generation of the exodus, the Torah provides us only with the exact date of the death of Aaron.

            It is noteworthy that Parashat Masei is always read within one week of the date of Aaron’s death, Rosh Ḥodesh Av. (In the previous one hundred years, the parasha has been read on Aaron’s yahrtzeit a dozen times.)

            Sefat Emet [Parashat Masei, 5659] sees the coincidence as a hint that “the merit of Aaron stands for us at this low time,” of the period of mourning the destruction of the Temples. As Moses was buried overlooking Ba’al Peor (the scene of Israel’s sin with the daughters of Moab and Midian [Numbers 25:1-9]) “in order to protect Israel at this, the lowest of places, so Aaron was destined to protect Israel during this month,” during which we minimize our joy. [Shulḥan Aruch, Oraḥ Ḥayyim 551:1]

            The Second Temple was destroyed because of unfounded hatred [Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 9b] and Aaron’s trait: “a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves all creatures” [Pirkei Avot 1:12] is the diametric opposite.

            Thus, the mention of the first High Priest at this time of the year should bring us to reflect on the reason for the Temple’s destruction, and to the understanding that the rectification and the means to rebuild the Temple is through loving peace, pursuing peace and loving all creatures. In the words of the “High Priest” of the generation which preceded the establishment of the State of Israel, through “unbounded love.”