“Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they approached before Hashem, and they died”(16:1)
The Torah introduces the Yom Kippur service by mentioning the death of the sons of Aharon.1 Although Aharon’s sons died six months earlier, Rashi, citing the Midrash, explains the need to reiterate their deaths with the following analogy: Much the same way as a doctor warns his patient against engaging in harmful activities to avoid the tragic consequences suffered by an acquaintance, Aharon, prior to entering the Holy of Holies is reminded of the death of his sons who entered in an improper manner.2
There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a child. A parent would spend a lifetime attempting to cope with this loss, never fully recovering from it. Why would Aharon need to be reminded of the loss of both of his sons, a tragedy which had occurred six months earlier?
The verse states that Hashem told Moshe to relay to his brother Aharon “al yavoh bechol eis el hakodesh…velo yamus”.3 The term “al yavoh” is usually interpreted as a prohibition, rendering the verse “he should not violate the prohibition of entering the Holy of Holies to avoid the punishment of death”. However, Rashi does not interpret the verse in the above manner, rather translating it as “al yavoh shelo yamus” – “he should not enter for it will cause his death”.4 Instead of the verse establishing a prohibition and the punishment for violating it, Rashi is explaining the verse as a preventative measure to avoid a negative consequence. This interpretation of the verse is reflected by the Midrash’s analogy of the doctor-patient relationship.
The message to Aharon is that his sons’ deaths were not a result of a punitive strike against them for violating the decree of their Sovereign, but a consequence of their irresponsible action. Hashem does not impose His will upon us to satisfy His wishes. He gives us directives in the same way a doctor cares for his patients. These directives are for our well-being; we are the ultimate beneficiaries when adhering to His precepts. Hashem wants Moshe to relay this message prior to Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the day of the year designated for expressing remorse over our indiscretions. The knowledge that Hashem’s only agenda is our well-being insures that our feelings of remorse will be truly genuine and heartfelt.
1.See 10:2
2.16:1
3.16:2
4.Ibid
Rabbi Zweig
