Thought of the Week: Chukas - 5776

LEARNING FROM AHARON

The Torah states that after the passing of Aharon Hakohen, "the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, and attacked the Children of Israel."

The Rabbis in the Talmud teach that after Aharon's passing the clouds of glory, that guided and protected the nation, left them. The Canaanite king saw this as a sign of vulnerability and thus attacked the Children of Israel.

Aharon Hakohen was a man of kindness and peace. In the words of the rabbis he was a Rodef Shalom, one who perused peace. When the Jewish People have internal peace makers and individuals who bring love and unity to the nation, the nation is protected. When the importance of unity and Shalom diminishes, so does our security.

As we all pray for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael let us strengthen our commitment to Jewish unity. May we all be inspired and become disciples of Aharon who would “love peace and pursue peace, love his fellows and bring them close to the Torah.” (Avos 1, 12)

Shabbat Shalom