02 Apr SOLID LIKE A ROCK

“Vayehi bayom hashmini, and it was on the
eighth day.” (Vayikra 9:1)
The number seven connotes tevah, what is
natural, as in the days of the week, while eight
is le’ma’ala min ha’tevah — above and
unconstrained by nature, entering the realm of
the spiritual.
For a week, Moshe was busy consecrating the
Mishkan. On Yom HaShemini, the eighth day,
the Mishkan was inaugurated. A day of much
anticipated joy and celebration. A day of
attaining great spiritual heights.
For Aaron, the brother of Moshe and the
Kohain Gadol, it evolved into a day of tragedy.
“Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aaron took their
fire pans, and placed ketores, incense in them
and offered them before HaShem. An alien
fire that HaShem had not commanded. And a
fire came forth from HaShem and consumed
them. And they died before HaShem.”
(Vayikra 10:1-2)
Nadav and Avihu erred by bringing an offering
on their own. An aish zarah, a foreign fire. An
offering that had not been requested by
HaShem. There are numerous explanations as
to why and how this could have happened.
One is a teaching of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of

Berditchev. He explains that their death was
not a divine punishment, but in their eagerness
to serve HaShem, they crossed a boundary,
endeavoring to enter a world in which they
were unable to exist.
Nadav and Avihu saw their father prepare for
the kehunah. Their desire to come closer to
HaShem was part of their very being. Yet, in
their fervor to attain greater spiritual heights,
they did something they were not asked to do.
We can’t begin to comprehend the agony
Aaron must have endured, losing two sons at
the very same moment. What words of
comfort and consolation could Moshe
possibly offer to his beloved brother. With
much compassion, Moshe approached Aaron,
telling him that Nadav and Avihu perished
while sanctifying HaShem’s name. He
conveyed a message from HaShem that
“B’krovai ekodesh, I will be sanctified by
those who are closest to Me, v’al pnei kol
ha’am ekovaid, thus, I will be honored before
the entire nation.” (Vayikra 10:3)
Rashi comments that Moshe consoled Aaron
with these beautiful words: “Aaron achi, my
brother Aaron, I knew that the Mishkan would
be sanctified by those beloved by HaShem.
But I thought it would be either you or me.
Now I know that they (Nadav and Avihu)

were greater than either of us.”
Vayidom Aaron, and Aaron was silent.
How do we understand Aaron’s
reaction?
One of the great Torah commentators,
the Malbim explains that the word
vayidom, and he was silent, is not
commonly used to describe silence. It
is used when one becomes quiet in the
midst of speaking. While Aaron was
expressing his emotions on his tragic
loss, Moshe spoke, and Aaron said
nothing further.
Upon comforting one who is mourning,
it is customary not to initiate
conversation, but to allow the mourner
to take the lead. Aaron began speaking,
and Moshe responded with words of
comfort.
Vayidom Aaron. Aaron stopped
speaking and accepted Moshe’s words
of consolation.
There is yet another understanding of
the word vayidom. Vayidom has the
same root as the Hebrew word domeim,
meaning inanimate objects such as stones,
rocks and mountains.
Aaron’s reaction was to be resilient, like a
rock. After hearing Moshe’s words, he became
strong as a mountain. Unshakable and
steadfast.
Vayidom – he was silent. Not a silence of
anger or bitterness. Nor a silence of despair
and depression. Aaron’s silence reflected
his emunah and bitachon. Even though the
pain was devastating, Aaron’s silence
expressed his conviction that HaShem was
with him, at all times and through all
circumstances. His silence spoke volumes.
Aaron was ready to be strong and continue
his holy work as the Kohain Gadol.
Life comes with its challenges. Times when
we may feel like asking, why me? The
Torah teaches us that it is not about the why.
Though there may not be any answers as to
why, what is vital is to have faith to carry
on. That is the essence of a Jew.
The strength of Aaron continues from
generation to generation. Despite all pain
and hardship, Am Yisroel Chai. Our nation
lives on with determination and fortitude.
Domeim, solid like a rock.
It started as a beautiful fall day. My father,
HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil
HaLevi zt”l, went to see a doctor for some
stomach pain, expecting a routine exam.
But it was anything but routine. My Abba
was informed that he was facing a diagnosis
of cancer.
Vayidom. My father mustered up his inner
reserves of strength, and accepted the
doctor’s words with unwavering trust in
HaShem. The doctor later shared with our
family how “the Rabbi brought tears to my
eyes, when he said that he was sorry that I

had to relay a difficult diagnosis”.
Vayidom. The day was not over. Without
saying a word, or exhibiting any outward sign
of pain, my father continued on with his
schedule. He went from the doctor’s office to
my sister Slovie’s home, to be a loving zeide
and study Torah with his grandson.
It was only later in the day that Abba shared
the news with our family.
The strength of silence.
The power of vayidom.
This past Purim, a photo of Dina Cohen’s
front door went viral. Dina is the young
widow of a fallen soldier. A woman of
amazing spirit, even during times of grief.
Dina posted a sign on her door, “When
entering this home, please hold your back
straight and your head held high. Then, fill
yourself with strength and happiness… know
that in this house lives the family of a hero,
who during his lifetime, and after his death,
spread light and hope.”
The strength of Aaron continues.
This Shabbos, we will recite Birchas
HaChodesh, welcoming and blessing the
upcoming month of Nisan. The word Nisan is
similar to the Hebrew word nisayon, a life
test, a challenge to overcome. At the same
time, Nisan also connotes neis, a miracle.
Yeshuas HaShem K’heref ayin, The salvation
from HaShem is quick like the blink of an eye.
While we as a nation after faced with nisyonos,
many tests, we believe that at any moment, we
can go from nisayon to neis, from challenges
to miracles.
Chazal tell us that b’nisan nigalu, u’bNisan
assidim l’higael — In the month of Nisan we
were first redeemed, and in the month of
Nisan we shall have our final redemption. Let
us daven that this will be the Nisan in which
we see the realization of this promise.