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each other sufficient honor. They did not consider their colleagues greater
than themselves. This is the definition of the maxim, “Either a friend or
death.” Without a friend from whom one can learn, life is worthless.
What was the unique virtue of Rashbi, causing the masses to converge
exclusively upon his grave every day? This can be explained based on the
incident regarding Rabbi Akiva’s shiur. Rashbi sat at the back and became
depressed. Rabbi Akiva consoled him by saying, “It is enough for you that
Hakadosh Baruch Hu and I recognize your greatness.” Rashbi was
certainly not looking for respect. He wanted to sit up front in order to have
the chance to work on his middot, considering those sitting in the back as
greater than himself.

Rashbi sacrificed his life for the sake of Torah. He fought the Romans and
spoke disparagingly about them. This was to ward off any influence they
might have otherwise had on the Jews. The Chashmonaim behaved
similarly during the time of the Greeks. Theirs was a national victory,
warranting a festival in commemoration. Rashbi, on the other hand, gained
a personal salvation from the hands of the Romans. Therefore, his hilula
is celebrated every year.
Every sin and every forbidden sight influences a person. Each additional
sin increasingly veils one’s eyes, just like curtains that curtail the sunlight
from entering a room. Therefore, it is crucial to rectify one’s sin
immediately, so that he should never fall into complete darkness.

“Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, saying:

Take a census of the sons of Kehat from among
the sons of Levi, according to their families,