"Aharon died in the 40th year on the first day of the fifth month" (Bamidbar 33:38). Aharon's yahrzeit, Rosh Chodesh Av, is the only date of death in the entire Torah.
The Oznaim LaTorah asks why the date is found here rather than in the earlier, lengthier description of Aharon's death (20:22-29). His answer is based on the premise that the death of tzaddikim atones (Rashi 20:11). As punishment for the sins of the spies, 15,000 people died each year on Tisha B'Av, for a 40-year total of 600,000. However, the last 15,000 were spared, an event celebrated on Tu B'Av (Rashbam, Bava Basra 121a).
The Oznaim LaTorah suggests that it was the recent atonement of Aharon's death that spared the 15,000 people. This could not have been known when Aharon died. Therefore, the date is only recorded later, when its significance was realized.
Alternatively, the yahrzeit of Aharon is recorded in the parsha that is read every year just before or on Rosh Chodesh Av. While a tzaddik's death atones, subsequent yahrzeits are days of judgment and misfortune for future generations. (See Shach Yorea Deah 402:10).
Indeed, when Av enters, we reduce joy, and some laws of mourning begin (Orach Chaim 551:1-16) in commemoration of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash on Tisha B'av. Aharon's death represents the loss of his example and the failure of Am Yisrael to emulate it, which led to the Churban. His death on Rosh Chodesh Av presaged the reduction in joy years later, beginning on his yahrzeit. Chazal highlight a number of times the need to follow in Aharon's footsteps and the implications of not doing so:
- "Be among the disciples of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people (briyos) and bringing them closer to Torah" (Avos 1:12). Loving people (briyos) includes the weak-minded and the provocative, Jews and non-Jews. They will accept advice and be drawn closer to Torah only from one who loves them (Tiferes Yisrael).
- "As Hashem admonishes one He loves" (Mishlei 3:12), a Jew who loves his fellow will offer rebuke out of love, which can be accepted. The Churban occurred because they did not rebuke one another (Shabbos 119B).
- Baseless hatred, the cause of the Churban (Yoma 9B), is the opposite of loving peace. Even peace-loving rabbonim, who were perceived as not doing enough to pursue and restore peace, may have contributed to the Churban. (See Gittin 56A, the story of Bar Kamtza and the host.)
Aharon turned many away from sin and closer to Torah because he was like an angel (Malachi 2:6-7). An angel stands in one place (see Zechariah 3:6-7), willing to sacrifice his own spiritual advancement for the sake of his students. One should seek Torah only from such a rebbe (Moed Kattan 17a and the introduction to Sefer Hafla'ah on Maseches Kesubos).
As we commemorate the yahrzeit of Aharon, we must become his disciples. If we love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19), the fast and the month of Av will be for joy and gladness, the legacies of Aharon.
RABBI YAAKOV NEUBURGER
