Emmanuel Sorek
Dvar Torah Editor
This week’s Parsha is Parshat Acharei Mot. Acharei Mot means “after death”. The Torah is referring to the death of Aaron’s 2 sons, Elazar and Itamar. The Torah proceeds with explaining the complex process that Aaron must undergo upon performing the required Temple practices on Yom Kippur. Rashi asks why the Torah opens the Parsha with the death of Aaron’s sons? He says as Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah illustrated by a parable: It may be compared to a case of a sick person whom the doctor visited. The doctor said to him: “Do not eat cold things or sleep in a damp place!" Another physician came and said to him: “Do not eat cold things, or sleep in a damp place so that you should not die just as Mr. So-and-so died!" Certainly the latter case puts the patient more on guard than the former, because it mentions the consequences of the patient's actions. This is why the Torah states the death of Aaron’s sons. That Aaron should not make the same mistake as they did by overstepping your bounds, lest you die just as they did.
Later in the Parsha, Hashem commands Bnei Israel (Chapter 18 verse 10) “And if anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who reside among them partakes (ingests) any blood, I will set My face against the person who partakes of the blood; I will cut that person off from the nation''. Then verse 12 it says: “Therefore I say to the Israelite people: No person among you shall partake of blood, nor shall the stranger who resides among you partake of blood.”
There is an idea that every word in Torah has incredible significance and not one word is wasted, so why must the Torah repeat the command in two separate verses? Rashi explains on verse 12 that the law against ingesting blood is repeated so that an adult should not feed or allow children (who may be unaware) to ingest blood as well. The first verse used the Hebrew word “Ish'' referring to the adults and the second verse used the word “Nefesh” referring to any person belonging to Bnei Israel (adults and children). The question still remains, however, that if the Torah wanted to include everyone then why not just use the word “Nefesh” the first time and move on? The answer must be that there is something intrinsically important about an adult potentially feeding blood to children. Specifically, the relationship that exists between them. Every Jewish parent has the obligation of “Chinuch” which means to educate one’s children. To steer them towards the right path and to serve as a positive influence on them.
Aaron is known to be a “lover of peace” , someone who loved his neighbors, he treated everyone with respect and always desired peace among the Jewish people. This is part of the reason why Kohanim were given the Mitzvah of Birkat Kohanim which is a blessing that Kohanim give through Hashem to the Jewish people. Aaron’s calm and empathetic character is displayed at the beginning of this week’s Parsha. His sons had just passed away and instead of feeling down and letting such a grievance get in the way of doing work, he got up and was taught the most critical Temple service of the entire year. We can tie this idea with that of the blood. Aaron had been warned of the consequences of malpractice via the death of his sons. At the same time, however, he set an example to the rest of Am Yisrael that although he may be grieving their death he put their atonement through the work that is done on Yom Kippur above his own emotions.
That is ultimately what Chinuch is. It is difficult for a father and mother to educate and set the right example for their children. Oftentimes, children can reject certain ideas or practices which can lead to frustration. It would probably be the easy way out to just give up and focus on their own emotional well-being. Aaron is teaching us that although it may be easy, that is not what Hashem wants from us. That is not what is best for those around us that need our help.
Shabbat Shalom
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