Rabbi Howard Morrison

The seventh of Adar, Thursday this week, overlaps with the beginning of the book of Vayikra. The juxtaposition is interesting. According to tradition, Moshe Rabeinu-Moses our teacher, died on the seventh of Adar, which is commemorated twice this year in a leap year consisting of Adar 1 and Adar 2. The book of Vayikra begins with Aaron and his Priestly children as the focal points, since they will officiate the sacrificial offerings which are described in the opening chapters.

The Midrash envisions Moses standing off to the side as Aaron takes center stage in the Tabernacle. The two brothers are exemplars of worthy attributes for us to emulate.

In the book of B'Midbar, Moses is described as the most humble man who lived on the face of the earth. In our tradition, Moses was a one of a kind Prophet (see the poetic song - Yigdal). In the Ethics of the Sages, we are taught, "Be among the disciples of Aaron - loving peace, pursuing peace, loving all people, and bringing them closer to Torah."

We live in a contemporary world filled with egotism, arrogance, triumphalism and self-righteousness. The closeness of Moses and Aaron is not merely that they are brothers. The Yahrzeit of Moses and the ritual role of Aaron can inspire us to take on their attributes of modesty, humility, love, and peace.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison