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Numbers 20:29 - Nation mourns Aharon's passing.

Numbers 20:29 - במדבר 20:29

Hebrew Text

וַיִּרְאוּ כָּל־הָעֵדָה כִּי גָוַע אַהֲרֹן וַיִּבְכּוּ אֶת־אַהֲרֹן שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם כֹּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And when all the congregation saw that Aharon was dead, they mourned for Aharon, thirty days, all the house of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Vayir'u kol-ha'edah ki gava Aharon vayivku et-Aharon shloshim yom kol beit Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּרְאוּ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה כִּ֥י גָוַ֖ע אַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיִּבְכּ֤וּ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים י֔וֹם כֹּ֖ל בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיִּרְאוּ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה כִּ֥י גָוַ֖ע אַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיִּבְכּ֤וּ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים י֔וֹם כֹּ֖ל בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of the Nation's Mourning for Aharon

The verse (Bamidbar 20:29) describes how kol beit Yisrael (the entire house of Israel) mourned Aharon for thirty days. Rashi explains that this universal mourning demonstrates Aharon's unique role in fostering peace and harmony among the Jewish people. Unlike Moshe, whose leadership primarily involved teaching Torah and administering justice, Aharon specialized in ahavat Yisrael (love for fellow Jews) and shalom bayit (domestic peace). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 6b) states that Aharon would actively reconcile quarreling parties, earning him widespread affection.

Thirty Days of Mourning

The thirty-day mourning period (shloshim) mirrors the mourning for Moshe (Devarim 34:8), indicating equal honor for both leaders. Rambam (Hilchot Avel 1:1) notes that this duration reflects the Torah's standard for mourning a parent or great leader. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:11) emphasizes that the mourning was sincere and heartfelt, not merely ceremonial, as Aharon's kindness touched every household.

Why "All the House of Israel" Mourned

  • Peacemaker: Aharon's efforts in resolving disputes (Pirkei Avot 1:12) ensured that no family was untouched by his influence.
  • Spiritual Role: As Kohen Gadol, his service in the Mishkan atoned for the nation, making his loss a collective tragedy (Zevachim 102a).
  • Contrast with Moshe's Death: While Moshe's passing was marked by immediate grief (Devarim 34:8), Aharon's death elicited a prolonged, communal response, underscoring his personal impact on each individual.

Lessons from Aharon's Legacy

The Or HaChaim (Bamidbar 20:29) highlights that Aharon's death unified the nation in grief, a testament to his unifying character. The Kli Yakar adds that the phrase kol beit Yisrael teaches that true leadership is measured not by power, but by the ability to inspire love and unity among all Jews—a principle embodied by Aharon.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in the discussion about the duration of mourning periods, comparing the thirty days of mourning for Aaron to other mourning practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did all of Israel mourn for Aharon for 30 days?
A: The entire house of Israel mourned Aharon for 30 days because he was beloved by all. As Rashi explains, Aharon was a pursuer of peace (Rodef Shalom) who brought harmony between people and between husbands and wives. His death was a loss for the entire nation.
Q: What special quality did Aharon have that made him so beloved?
A: Aharon was known for his exceptional trait of loving peace and pursuing peace (Pirkei Avot 1:12). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 6b) describes how he would reconcile people in conflict. His kindness and efforts to maintain harmony made him cherished by all of Israel.
Q: Why does the verse emphasize that 'all the congregation' saw Aharon's death?
A: The Torah emphasizes that all saw his death to teach that his passing affected everyone equally. As the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:11) explains, both young and old, men and women mourned him - showing how universally respected and loved he was for his peacemaking efforts.
Q: What lesson can we learn from how Israel mourned Aharon?
A: We learn the importance of being peacemakers like Aharon. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 1:5) teaches that we should emulate Aharon's ways - loving peace, pursuing peace, and bringing people closer to Torah. When we live this way, we merit being beloved by others.
Q: Why is the mourning period specifically 30 days?
A: Thirty days is the standard period for mourning a close relative in Jewish law (Shulchan Aruch YD 402:12). That all Israel observed this full mourning period shows they considered Aharon like family. The Talmud (Moed Katan 27b) discusses how this demonstrates proper respect for Torah leaders.