Perek Yud Zayin Eitz Chayim

Prologue

Once Upon a Time, In a desert far, far away,

There was a rebellion between a man named Korach, along with his crew, and Moshe and Aharon, two leaders chosen by Hashem. Korach and his crew thought that Moshe and Aharon had to much power. Hashem ended up killing Korach and his crew because of their arrogance and lack of understanding that Hashem chose Moshe and Aharon for a reason. Turn the page to uncover the mystical events bound into these beautiful pages of Torah.

פסוקים א-ה

ציפוי למזבח- A covering for the Mizbeach

There was once a strong, mighty, compassionate G-d who spoke to His most faithful servant, Moshe. Hashem declared to his servant: “Behold, tell Elazar, son of Aharon to take the firepans of the people who sinned against their souls and hammer them out into sheets. They will be made into a covering for the Mizbeach כי קדשו-because they are holy.The covering will be a reminder to Bnei Yisrael.” Elazar did as he was told, but there was confusion among the brothers and sisters of Bnei Yisrael.”Why Elazar?” The people asked. “Why not Aharon?” The answer was fairly obvious, but not to the people, for they didn’t know that it wasn’t fitting for a Kohen Gadol to clean up after the rebel’s garbage. Also, being the humble person that he was, if Aharon completed this important job, it would look like he was bragging about Hashem choosing his firepan over the rebel’s since he was involved in the rebellion. Another reasonable question whomes confusion was spreading like wildfire among Bnei Yisrael was asked in a polite manner, although the true meaning of the question was not so polite. The question was asked like this: “Why are the firepans holy if they were used by such disgusting, arrogant, unreasonable people?” The answer is as follows: “המחתות ואסרין בהנאה שהרי עשאום לכלי שרת”-“The firepans are holy and you cannot use it in any other way. It was used as an article to serve Hashem.” “But the rebels weren’t using the firepans to do a MITZVAH!!??!!” You might say. “They had absolute terrible intentions!!” But aaaah, my dear friends, take a closer look. The definition of the word “Mitzvah” is “Commandment,” which is exactly what the rebels were doing. Following Hashem’s commandment. Lastly, if you recall, Hashem had mentioned earlier that the covering for the Mizbeach will be a reminder to Bnei Yisrael. “How?” was the question asked by many members of this holy nation. Luckily, there are answers in store. Firstly, it will remind Bnei Yisrael that only people who come from Aharon can bring Ketoret. Secondly, לא יהיה כקרח וכעדתו-don’t be like Korach and his rebels, or, if you prefer, there will never again be a rebellion like Korach and his rebels, meaning there will never again be an argument where one side is completely right (Moshe) and one side is completely wrong. (Korach)

פסוקים ו-י

Bnei Yisrael’s Reaction to the Death of the Rebels

The distraught, fearful, angry nation of Bnei Yisrael complained to Moshe and Aharon saying: “‘אתם המתם את עם ד”-“You killed Hashem’s nation.” Bnei Yisrael faced the Ohel Moed, a cloud covering the tent. This holy but mistaken nation stood together and feared Hashem. Moshe and Aharon slowly went to the face of the tent, contemplating what will happen next. Hashem declared to Moshe that he shall remove himself as well as Aharon from the congregation, for Hashem will destroy Bnei Yisrael in an instant. ויפל על פניהם-Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces davening, for they did not want their nation who they loved so dearly to be wiped out eternally.

פסוקים יא-טו

Aharon Stops Hashem’s Plague

In a panicked voice, Moshe declared to Aharon: “OH MY GOSH TAKE A FIREPAN AND BRING A KETORET FOR FORGIVENESS BECAUSE HASHEM’S ANGER HAS BEGUN TO COME OUT AND MAKE A PLAGUE!!!! TAKE KETORET BECAUSE BNEI YISRAEL SAW MANY PEOPLE DIE FROM KETORET AND THEY THINK KETORET KILLS, BUT NOW THEY WILL SEE THAT IT IS SIN THAT KILLS. הוא תראו שעוצר מגפה הוא והחטא הוא הממית.”

וירץ אל תוך הקהל -Aharon immediately ran to do the Mitzvah and brought the Ketoret. Luckily, out of the pure kindness of His heart, Hashem forgave Bnei Yisrael. Or so we may think. There was confusion on how the plague actually ended, but luckily that confusion is now cleared up thanks to our very own Rashi. The pasuk said that to stop the plague, Aharon stood between the dead and the living. What does this mean? According to Rashi, Aharon told the Malach Hamavet, or the death angel, to stop the plague, but the angel said he couldn’t because Aharon’s orders were from Moshe, and the angel’s orders were from Hashem. Being the smart person that he was, Aharon told the angel of death that Moshe doesn’t listen to his heart, only to what Hashem wants, and if he doesn’t believe him he can go to the Ohel Moed. Aharon dragged the angel to the tent and behold, standing right before him, was Moshe communicating with Hashem. It was at this time that the plague stopped.

פסוקים טז-כו

מבחן המטוט-The Stick Challenge

When the plague finally ended, Hashem told Moshe to try one last time to convince Bnei Yisrael that Aharon was the true Kohen Gadol. Hashem ordered Moshe to tell the head of each Shevet to bring a stick and write their name on it. They will then leave the sticks in front of the Aron in the Ohel Moed. Flowers will grow on the stick of the Shevet which Hashem chooses. Once Bnei Yisrael sees the flowers on Aharon’s stick, they won’t complain anymore. Moshe gives over Hashem’s directions to the Shevatim and they did as they were told, ומטה אהרון בתוך מטוטם-and Aharon’s stick was inside the other sticks. “What does this mean?” asked Rashi. הניחו בעמצע-Aharon’s stick was in the middle and all the other sticks were surrounding his. Why this setup? שלא יאמרו מפני שהניחו בצד שכינה פרח-So they shouldn’t say that his stick was right near Hashem’s Shechinah. This way, they couldn’t say Aharon’s stick blossomed because it was right near Hashem’s Shechinah since Hashem’s Shechinah would have to go through the other sticks first. Moshe placed the sticks in the Ohel Moed and when he came back, blossoms blossomed, flowers grew, and almonds grew, all on Aharon’s stick. Obviously this was a miracle, but how so? Firstly, the stick was dead, making it impossible for anything to grow on it. Secondly, all three stages of development were happening at the same time. Lastly, it occurred overnight. Of course, what would this book be without another question from Rashi? Rashi asks: “?למה שקדים”-“Why almonds?” Almonds are the fastest growing fruit, so just like almonds grow fast, anyone who argues over who is the true Kohen Gadol will have their punishment come quickly. Moshe then brought all the sticks out to show Bnei Yisrael, and each leader took their stick back. Hashem ordered Moshe to return Aharon’s stick to the Ohel Moed to be a reminder to anyone who wants to rebel in the future. Seeing this stick filled with miracles should remove any complaints so Bnei Yisrael won’t be punished. The fact that the flowers and almonds resting on Aharon’s stick will remain there in the future is yet another miracle.

פסוקים כז-כח

Bnei Yisrael are Concerned About What They Can Do in the Mishkan

Bnei Yisrael now ask Moshe: “?האם תמנו לגוע”-“Are we doomed to die?” The nation is now afraid and are fearful they will die if they go too close to the Mishkan. They don’t want to make anymore mistakes and want to know what THEIR role is. And that, my friends, is Bnei Yisrael’s story. For now.