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The Baal
Shem Tov on Shemini
Rabbi
Yisrael Baal Shem Tov
zt”l on Parshat Shemini
(from
Baal Shem Tov Al
HaTora, quoting the Degel Machanei Efraim)
Approach
the Altar
Print
Version
On the day of the dedication of the Mishkan, Moshe
tells Aharon, "Approach the altar (kerav el hamizbeiach)
and make your sin offering and burnt offering .
. ." Rashi explains that Aharon (because of his
involvement in the sin of the Golden Calf) was embarrassed
before G-d and afraid to approach the altar. Moshe
then told him, "Go, for this you were chosen."
According to the conventional understanding of this
Rashi, despite Aharon's embarrassment, Moshe
reassured him that he was chosen by G-d to serve
as the Kohen. This leaves us with a question, though.
How does Moshe's reassurance help Aharon deal with
his embarrassment? Is not being chosen for such
a lofty task despite his involvement in the Golden
Calf the source of his embarrassment?
The Arizal, quoted by the Baal Shem Tov zt"l, has
a different reading of this Rashi. Moshe tells Aharon,
"For this - because you are embarrassed by
your sin and have a contrite heart and fear of G-d
- you were chosen as the Kohen Gadol." The verse
says, "The offerings of G-d are a broken spirit
(Tehillim 51:19)." G-d chose Aharon as his Kohen
Gadol, the one to approach Him for forgiveness on
behalf of all of Israel, because of his extreme
humility.
[This relates to an anecdote ascribed to Rabbi Yisrael
Salanter, zt"l. A certain shochet (ritual slaughterer)
approached Rabbi Salanter, saying, "I don't want
to continue with shechita. I'm constantly worried
about making a mistake and rendering the animal
unkosher. The responsibility is awesome." Rabbi
Salanter replied, "So who do you want to serve as
the slaughterer, someone who is not worried?"]
[prepared
by Eliezer Kwass] |
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