Lessons for today,
Thursday, 5 Tamuz, 5777 - June 29, 2017
Summary of Today's Chumash After turning from Edom, in this, the fifth aliyah, the Jews arrive at Mt. Hor. Rashi says that even though the Clouds of Glory that led them in their journeys also leveled mountains for them, three mountains remained standing: Mt. Sinai for the giving of the Torah, Mt. Hor for the burial of Aharon, and Mt. Nevo for the burial of Moshe. At G-D's command, Moshe and Aharon and Aharon's son Elazar go up the mountain. Then Moshe takes the clothes of the Kohane Gadol (High Priest) off of Aharon and puts them on Elazar. After Aharon sees that his son is taking over the office of Kohane Gadol, Aharon passes away. When Moshe and Elazar come down the mountain without Aharon, the people understand that Aharon has passed away, and mourn 30 days. Rashi says that all the people wept because they loved Aharon because he would always pursue peace, and strive for peace between men and between a husband and his wife. After Aharon passes away, Rashi says that the Cloud of Glory departed from the Jews. The nation of Amalak hears this and attacks the Jews, but G-d causes the Jews to win. |
