Ushpizin: Aaron the High Priest: The Man Who Pursued Peace - Illustrated by AI

On the fifth day of Sakat, we remember Aaron the priest whose [music] entire life was dedicated to connecting hearts, bringing peace, and inviting the divine presence [music] to dwell among us. Aaron was the older brother of Moshe, our teacher. Yet, he was a unique and significant figure in his own right. While [music] Moshe was the leader, the giver of the Torah, and the faithful shepherd, Aaron was the high priest, the people's representative, [music] and the man who carried the Jewish nation in his heart. The Torah tells [music] us that when God sent Moshe to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moshe feared [music] he wasn't fit for the mission because he was slow of speech and slow a tongue. God told him that his brother Aaron would speak for [music] him. And then something special was said about Aaron. when he sees you, he will be glad [music] in his heart." Aaron was the older brother. For years, he had led the [music] Israelites in Egypt, even before Moshe returned from Midian. One might have thought he'd be jealous of his younger brother, who was suddenly chosen [music] to be the leader of the Jewish people. But Aaron was not jealous. When he heard that Moshe had been chosen, he was truly [music] happy in his heart. It wasn't just an outward joy or a smile meant to hide pain, but a deep and sincere happiness for his brother's success. [music] Our sages teach that because of that joy, Aaron merited to wear the [music] breastplate upon his heart, engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. One who can rejoice [music] wholeheartedly in another person's good fortune is worthy of carrying the entire nation of Israel upon their heart. Aaron joined Moshe and together they stood before Pharaoh with the demand, "Let my people go." Throughout the 10 plagues, Aaron was a central partner in the mission. In some [music] of the plagues, he was even commanded to strike with his staff. He stood by Moshe during the difficult moments, yet never sought honor or leadership for himself. After the Exodus from [music] Egypt and the revelation at Mount Si, Aaron was chosen for the role of high priest. The high priest wasn't [music] just a man who wore magnificent garments and served in the holy temple. He was [music] the man destined to connect the Jewish people with the sacred service. His [music] role was to offer sacrifices, light the manora, burn the incense, and bless the people. Aaron's garments [music] carried a profound message. On his shoulders were onx stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. Upon his heart was the breastplate of judgment with 12 [music] stones representing the 12 tribes. Thus, every time Aaron entered the holy place, he did not enter merely as a private individual. He carried the entire nation on his shoulders and upon [music] his heart, whether they were righteous or far off, whether they belonged to a large tribe or [music] felt small and insignificant. In Aaron's heart, there was room for everyone. But the trait [music] that made him so beloved by the Jewish people was his love of peace. Illo [music] the elders said in Ethics of the fathers, "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, [music] loving people and bringing them closer to the Torah." Our sages describe how Aaron would establish peace between people. When he heard about two friends who [music] fought, he would go to one of them and say, "You know, your friend is very sorry about what happened." He is ashamed and asks himself how he can [music] ever look you in the face again. Then he would go to the second person and say similar things to him. When the two met, each thought the other already wanted to make up and they would hug and reconcile. Aaron wasn't satisfied with just saying that peace is important. He pursued peace. He left his home, [music] went to the people, spoke to their hearts, and did everything in his power to mend the bond between them. Our sages also tell that when [music] Aaron met a person who had sinned, he wouldn't shame them or hurl harsh words of rebuke. He would greet them first, treat them with respect, and show them love. And so, the person [music] would draw closer to the Torah and change their ways. This is the meaning of the words loving people and bringing them closer to the Torah. Aaron didn't only love the righteous. He loved all people because they are [music] the creations of God. The suka is a place that brings different people inside. It doesn't belong to just one person. We invite family members, neighbors, [music] friends, and also people who might not have anywhere else to celebrate. On the holiday of Sukkot, we take the four species [music] and bind them together. Our sages explain that the four species represent different types of people. There are those with Torah [music] and good deeds, those with only one virtue, and those who still lack both virtues. [music] Yet the mitzvah is only fulfilled when everyone is joined together. This is exactly Aaron's message. The Jewish people [music] are not complete when each person stands alone. Completeness comes when we know how to connect, respect one another, and find a place for every Jew. According to [music] tradition, Aaron is connected to the attribute of Hod. Hod comes from the words for acknowledgement, humility, and spiritual beauty. It's the [music] ability to recognize that everything comes from God and to use status and honor [music] not to exalt ourselves, but to serve others. Aaron [music] wore the most beautiful priestly garments. The Torah calls them for honor and for glory. In the suka, we sit under a roof that isn't completely closed. The wind can enter and sometimes the [music] cold is felt, too. The suka doesn't promise a life without hardships. It teaches [music] that even when life isn't as closed and protected as we'd like, we can still feel wrapped [music] in the providence of God. In Aaron's life, the sin of the golden calf also occurred. When Moshe was delayed on the mountain, the people demanded [music] that Aaron make them a god to go before them. Aaron tried to delay them and asked that [music] they bring their gold jewelry. According to the sages, he hoped the women wouldn't agree to give up their jewelry, delaying the [music] act until Moshe returned. But the people brought the gold and from it [music] came the calf. Later on, he was the one chosen to be the high priest. From this, we learned that even a great person can make a mistake. But a mistake doesn't have to be the end of the road. Through repentance, correction, and a new mission, one can continue to rise. Another [music] central role of Aaron's was the priestly blessing. To this day, the priests stand in synagogues and bless the Jewish people with the words given to Aaron and his sons. May the Lord [music] bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord [music] lift up his face toward you and give you peace. The blessing ends with the word peace and not by chance. Aaron, who all his life loved [music] peace and pursued peace, merited that his blessing ends with the request that [music] God place peace among the Jewish people. And this is a central message [music] for the holiday of Sukkat as well. The suka is called in prayer a suka of peace and we ask spread [music] over us the suka of your peace. Just as the suka roof unites all who sit under it, [music] so peace connects different people and turns them into one family. When we invite Aaron [music] the priest into the suka on the fifth day, we ask to bring a bit of his light into our lives. That we learn to truly rejoice in the [music] success of others. that we succeed in seeing the good in every Jew, that we know how to take the first step toward reconciliation, and that we use [music] our words to connect rather than to divide. And it is our deepest hope that we truly transform the suka, this fragile and temporary home, and indeed [music] our very own hearts into a sacred and welcoming sanctuary, a place where the divine presence can feel invited to rest, dwell, and find a home within us [music] throughout these holy days. Aaron enters the suka as a man who carries all the tribes of [music] Israel on his heart. And on the fifth day of Sukkat, the one who teaches us how to love all creatures, bring them closer to the Torah, and [music] pursue peace, is the fifth guest, Aaron the priest.