The celebration is on! It is the First of Nissan of the second year since the Jews left Egypt and it is the day that the Mishkan (tabernacle) is being dedicated. Everyone is excited and joyous. Then the worst thing happens. Two of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, die a terrible death when they tried bringing a strange fire on the alter. How does Aharon respond when he hears about the death of two of his sons. The Torah tells us that he is silent. He does not say a single word. Silence is golden.

In the Gemara Gittin, there is a story of Titus destroying the Beis HaMikdash (the Temple in Yerushaliyim). Titus broke into the Holy of Holies and stuck his sword through the Paroches (screen in front of the Holy of Holies) and a miracle happened: blood started flowing from the Paroches. Titus proudly screamed out “I have killed G-d!!!!” This is probably one of the biggest profanities ever said. G-d should have struck Titus down on the spot, but how did G-d respond. The Gemara points out that G-d was silent. Silence is golden.

Also in Gittin, we have the sad stories of cities in Eretz Yisroel being destroyed. What is even sadder is why it happened. One of the stories is about Tur Malka being destroyed because of a chicken and a hen. The custom used to be to bring a hen and a chicken to a bride and groom (symbolizing them to have many children). One time, Roman soldiers stole the chicken and the hen. The Jews responded by attacking the Romans. The Roman caesar heard about this and destroyed the city of Tur Malka. It was terrible destruction with many deaths. And the only reason it happened was because people responded. People did not remain silent. Silence is golden.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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