Rashi (BaMidbar 20:1) asks why the death of Miriam is put next to the pesukim dealing with the Parah Adumah. He answers that this is to reveal a thematic connection between the two: ‘just as sacrifices atone, so too does the death of a righteous person (tzadik) atone for those alive.’
The Kli Yakar here points out that there are three other places where we find similar ideas about tzadikim:
- Death of Miriam after the Parsha of Parah Adumah (BeMidbar 19, 23)
- The death of Aharon’s sons is juxtaposed with the Yom Kippur service (Vayikra 16,1)
- The death of Aharon is sandwiched with a mention of the special clothes of the Kohen Gadol (BeMidbar 20:28)
- When the death of Aharon is repeated in Chumash Devarim (10,2-6) next to the breaking of the luchos.
Why does the Torah repeat the same idea four times?
The Kli Yakar answers that these four mentions correspond to four different benefits a righteous person gives to the world:
- Parnasah: In their merit we get sustenance. Miriam’s well provided water.
- Atonement: We get a degree of atonement when a tzadik leaves this world (Aharon's sons/Yom Kippur).
- Shield: A tzadik serves as a shield from troubles (Aharon/Kohen Gadol clothes).
- Example: A tzadik sets an example for us in following HaShem’s Path (Aharon/Luchos).