5758

Rashi explains that the Torah juxtaposes Aharon’s death upon  Klal Yisrael’s unfruitful dialogue with Edom because of a distinct relationship between the two.  When Klal Yisrael attempted to join Eisav’s descendants,  they created a breach in their activities which resulted in the loss of Aharon.  Why?  How is Aharon’s death associated with their attempt to establish diplomatic relations with Eisav?  Horav Nissan Alpert,zl, cites the pasuk in Devarim 32:4, “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice.”  Hashem’s rectitude in justice is manifest in that He will not punish a person if it will cause undue…

The people followed a pattern that has regrettably become typical: When events did not proceed in their favor, they either complained or protested.  The Alshich Hakadosh notes that the Torah does not mention that they  expressed grief over Miriam’s loss, as it does regarding the deaths of Moshe and Aharon.  Thus, he infers that they did not shed tears when Miriam died.  Because they did not acknowledge her merit as the source of their water supply, they lost it.  Being surrounded by kedushah, holiness, has  little effect if one does not recognize and appreciate it. We must address  Klal Yisrael’s…