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“Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of
Aharon’s two sons, when they approached
before Hashem, and they died”
We mention the death of Aharon’s sons on Yom Kippur in order to arouse
the Attribute of Mercy upon us. We hope to be found innocent and thereby (Vayikra 16:1)
merit a favorable judgment. Furthermore, tzaddikim after death are
considered living. To the same degree that they became sanctified during
their life, they are sanctified in their death, and their memory is
perpetuated.

Aharon’s sons were condemned to death because they sought to achieve
a lofty level before they were adequately prepared for it. Clearly, they had
pure intentions and acted for the sake of Heaven. However, they should
have advanced gradually, step by step, and not sought to proceed to the
highest levels in one giant leap.

It says, “And Aharon fell silent.” How was he capable of accepting the
decree calmly without protesting? Aharon realized that his sons were
entrusted to him only as a security. Therefore, when they were taken from
him, he did not complain. In the same way, Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi
Meir Ba’al Haness justified the decree when their sons perished, accepting
it with love.

Aharon’s sons absorbed the lesson of their father that everything
ultimately belongs to Hashem. Therefore, they were inspired to sacrifice
their lives for Hashem’s sake. Hashem blamed them for doing so, since it
says in the Torah, “And live by them.” This implies that a person should
live with inspiration through keeping the mitzvot of the Torah. It is only
in specific situations that a person is obligated to relinquish his life in
sanctification of Hashem.
The death of a tzaddik atones for the sins of the generation. This is
because people are shocked and awakened to do teshuvah. As a result,
they merit atonement for their sins. Thus, the tzaddik’s death is the means # 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaikra-EYAL | 12 - A | 18-08-19 | 15:24:56 | SR:-- | Black 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaikra-EYAL | 12 - A | 18-08-19 | 15:24:56 | SR:-- | Magenta 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Vaik

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