Page 33 - HaMizrachi Australia Sukkot 5781

Our
Ushpizi

aharon

Pursuing Peace

Rabbi Shmuel Kagan

ne of my most cherished out of sincere love for and devotion and embracing their differences.
acts as a Jew is standing by to the people. The Rabbis are deeply Aharon inspired peace by teaching
the Aron HaKodesh in front moved by Aharon’s love for Am Yisrael, Am Yisrael to respect and accept each
Oof the Torah scrolls, with and encourage the entire nation to others’ differences, for it is our differ-
my tallit draped over half my body, learn from his example, to not only ent strengths and abilities that enable
repeating the ancient bracha of the love peace but to pursue it as well the nation of Israel to be whole.
Kohanim. With my eyes closed, hands (Pirkei Avot 1:12). Kohanim, in partic- The Midrash (Vayikra Rabba 30:12)
outstretched, and my mind focused ular, must follow Aharon’s example;
on the congregation standing in front the bracha recited by Kohanim before famously explains that each of the four
species, the arba’a minim, represents a
of me, I consider their needs and how they duchen adjures them to bless the different type of Jew. On Sukkot, we
Hashem has endowed my tribe with people “with love.” bind them all together, reminding
the great privilege of channeling His Aharon was promoted to a position of us of our shared identity despite our
blessings. What makes us Kohanim authority, but he used that position to
special is not what we, personally, serve the people. His descendants step differences. The Talmud (Sukkah 27b)
tells us that all of Israel should dwell
have accomplished, but rather the up to the platform not to raise them-
extraordinary character and deeds selves in haughtiness but to become in a single sukkah. Such a sukkah’s size
is beyond comprehension, but can you
of our ancestor Aharon, one of the conduits of Heavenly blessing from on imagine such diverse people all feeling
seven Ushpizin with whom we share high. And so Am Yisrael was grateful, at home under one roof? I believe that
our sukkah. not jealous, of Aharon because they this would be the sukkah of Aharon
Aharon was kadosh (holy), separated knew he was using his power for their HaKohen’s dreams. May we merit to
from the rest of the Jewish people benefit. sit there together with him!
because of his designation as a priest. The Gemara tells us in numerous
There is a mitzvah to honor Kohanim places that Torah scholars are called
(Vayikra 21:8), and Kohanim are sub- “builders” because they bring peace to
ject to greater restrictions than the the world. Superficially, this seems like
rest of the Jewish people, including a misplaced compliment; every page of
restrictions on whom they can marry the Talmud is filled with arguments
and what they can touch. Despite among Torah scholars! All Batei Midrash
these regulations on their conduct, are full of Torah students arguing and
the unique status of the Kohanim can shouting at each other! Is it really pos-
lead to jealousy, the most notable case sible to say that Torah scholars bring
being that of Korach, who rebelled peace to the world?
against Aharon’s elevated position
(Bamidbar 16). Nevertheless, the Torah In truth, real peace, real shalom, is not
tells us that all of Am Yisrael mourned accomplished when everyone agrees
for Aharon (Bamidbar 20:29). While with each other. Real shalom requires
many followers naturally resent those shleimut, completeness; it is the har-
who lead them, the people of Israel mony achieved when each person or
deeply loved and honored Aharon. creation fulfills its unique role. When
What made Aharon so special? Torah scholars argue in order to clar- Rabbi Shmuel Kagan is the Rabbi of Bnei
ify G-d’s will, their opposing opinions Akiva South Africa, the Mashgiach Ruchani
Rashi explains that all of Israel refine each other’s understanding. and manager of the Mizrachi University
mourned for Aharon because he would A husband and wife can mend their Kollel, and a Kodesh teacher at Yeshiva Col-
make peace between husband and relationship by highlighting their deep lege High School in Johannesburg. He will
wife and bring Jews closer to Torah love for each other while recognizing be making Aliyah with his family in January.

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