Aaron H'koen's Yur Tziet is tonight Rosh Chodesh Av. When Arron was taken to Shamayim by a Divine kiss, we lost the Ananay H'kavod the symbol of protection, peace and tranquility that carried us through the Midbar. Aaron was revered admired and loved for his exceptional Midos Ben Adam L'Chavaro as well as Ben Adam L'Makom. Never being jealous of his younger brother's fame and success, Never uttering a word or questioning H'shem's judgement when his children were taken. For the past number of weeks we have been learning the Torah portions that have been full of disappointment, hate, jealously, pride, seemingly unconscionable actions from such a Kadosh people. We must learn from Aaron H'Kohen whether we fall or have a tragedy or disappointment Chas Vishalom upon us there is only one direction. Keep moving forward. Get up wipe yourself off take the best lesson you can and push even harder to achieve your goals. As the saying goes 'It is not whether you win or lose but How you play the game '. Make sure you are proud of yourself, your actions, your Midos, your reactions the outcome and circumstances are NOT in your hands. Light a candle L'elu Nishmato and Daven for Shalom with in all of Klal Yisroel and the final bringing of the Bet Hamikdash Bimihara Biyamenu Amen.
Once, on a Motzoei Shabbos, the chasidim were sitting in the bais medrash of the Ruzhiner Rebbe zy”a for Melave Malka. Suddenly, the Rebbe opened the door of his room next to the bais medrash, stood at the entrance, and said, “The Baal Shem Tov was not a deity, and the zaida, the Magid, was not just an ordinary wagon driver. And once, when the holy Baal Shem Tov prayed, his talis fringe fell out of his gartel and dragged on the floor. The Magid approached, picked it up, and put it back in the gartel, but he was trembled with such tremendous fear that he fainted and his life was in danger. They were compelled to rouse the Baal Shem Tov from his deep dveikus in order to calm him.” He then added, “I told you that the Baal Shem Tov was not a deity and my zaida, the Magid, was no wagon driver. Still and all, when he touched the Besht’s garment, he fainted from fear. The entire world is Hashem’s garment. How much fear must we feel to touch this world!” May the memory of the...
