This week’s parsha gives us an insight into the Greatness of Hashem as we see two conflicting traits displayed. On the one hand, we are shown how extremely strict Hashem is, even with those who are righteous. On the other hand, we see extreme kindness and love that Hashem shows, especially to the righteous.

In this week’s parsha, Miriam passes away and afterwards, the Jews are lacking water. They demand water from Moshe and he hits a rock to make water appear. Immediately afterwards, Hashem tells Moshe that he and Aharon will not enter Eretz Yisrael and instead will die in the desert. The commentators argue regarding the sin Moshe and Aharon committed in order to deserve such a punishment as it is unclear. Many, many answers are given because nothing either one of these great men did made him deserving of such a penalty as this one. This is especially true regarding Aharon as in this week’s parsha, Moshe is the one who takes all of the action; Aharon did not even do anything. The reason so much confusion exists because, no matter which commentary a person goes by, the act performed was extremely minor. But Hashem knows everything that happens everywhere, even the smallest things, and He takes action against the offender of misconduct, no matter how small.

In this week’s parsha, we also learn about the death of Aharon and from here we see a beautiful kindness. Aharon is led up a mountain to a beautiful bed waiting for him. He takes off his garments that are specially for the Cohain Gadol and passes them to his son; imagine the joy of a parent being able to pass the flame of such a holy position to his own son! What a feeling it must have been. Then Aharon is told to lay on the bed and dies a painless death by a kiss from Hashem. Upon seeing this, Moshe asks Hashem to give him the same type of death.

Hashem is extremely strict, but at the same time extremely compassionate. Our job in this world is to follow His ways.

The Mishna in Pesachim (7:8) states: If most or all of a Karbon Pesach (Paschal offering) becomes impure, then the person that made it impure must immediately burn it in front of the Temple. But he can use wood intended for the Altar. The commentators point out an amazing concept from this Mishna. The reason the contaminated Karbon is burned in front of the Temple is so everyone will see the person and he will be embarrassed. This is to show how strict we must be regarding observance of the laws. The commentators also point out, though, that he can use the wood intended for the Altar so he is not embarrassed in case he cannot afford to buy wood. Such care and compassion is to be shown to a person, even one who has sinned. This is what our Parsha this week is trying to teach us: we must be extremely careful to keep every little detail of the laws, but we also must practice being compassionate to everyone, even those who might have done wrong.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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