Parashat Tetzaveh

By Rabbi Aharon Seleh:

In this week’s Parsha, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to appoint Aharon as Kohen Gadol. Hashem told him ” Bring near to yourself Aharon your brother.” The Ohr Hachaim is bothered by this peculiar phrase. It should have said simply separate Aharon as Kohen Gadol.

The Ohr Hachaim explains that in fact Moshe Rabbeinu was destined to be Kohen Gadol, but because he persistently refused to go to Pharaoh when Hashem first commanded him, he was punished and Aharon was made Kohen Gadol instead. Hashem is now telling Moshe, don’t appoint Aharon just because I said so, do it out of a full desire of your heart, because by installing Aharon as Kohen Gadol, this is your Korban and there is no greater Korban than this. You should be very happy.

The Ohr Hachaim elaborates, that when a person sins a part of his neshama is cut off from its source on High. As soon as the person receives his punishment, that part of his soul is reconnected to Hashem. Hashem was notifying Moshe that “bring yourself near” you are neshama is now completely reattached to it’s Divine source. There is no greater Joy. That’s why the Mishna says one should bless Hashem for the bad just as for the good. The Gemara explains bless Him for the bad with same joy as for the good. The reason is that there is nothing as bad and bitter as being disconnected from Hashem in the next World. By getting our kapara, we reconnect to Hashem.