1 Av · Yahrzeit
Aaron HaKohen HaGadol
Aaron HaKohen HaGadol
Yahrzeit - 1 Av
Burial place - Hor HaHar
Aaron HaKohen passed away at the age of 123 in the year 2487 from Creation.
This is the only yahrzeit mentioned in the Torah. (Bamidbar 33:38)
This is described in Parashat Masei, which we read on the Shabbat closest to Rosh Chodesh Av.
Aaron's lineage: Yaakov Avinu – Levi – Kehat – Amram.
Aaron's wife was Elisheva – sister of Nachshon ben Aminadav, the leader of the tribe of Yehuda, the very one who was the first to jump into the Yam Suf.
Aaron and Elisheva had four sons: Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar.
While their father was still alive, Nadav and Avihu were consumed by fire from Above for offering a strange fire in the Mishkan, even though they were tzadikim whom the Almighty valued above Moshe and Aaron.
Gilgulim
The Arizal (may his merit protect us) says that Aaron HaKohen was Haran (Avraham Avinu's brother) in a previous lifetime. Haran (the same letters as in the name Aaron, without the alef) had to correct the sin of Adam's idol worship, but he did not succeed.
Nachor, Avraham Avinu's brother, returned in the gilgul of Chur, son of Miriam HaNevia. Chur ben Miriam sacrificed his life to stop the sin of the Golden Calf, in order to bring about a correction of idolatry. Aaron mistakenly believed that Chur's death had completed the atonement for the sin of the calf. (Shaar HaGilgulim)
Although all his intentions were pure, seeking only to delay the Erev Rav long enough for Moshe to return to the camp and restore order, Aaron's hands were nevertheless involved in collecting the gold. Aaron was punished for this mistake by losing all his sons. Moshe prayed for him and was able to save only two.
Aaron was later reincarnated as Yaabetz HaShofet (another name for Otniel ben Kenaz), then he returned again as Tola ben Puah HaShofet, then as Shmuel HaNavi, then as Aviyah, son of King Yeravam, then he returned again as Uriah HaKohen (who was killed by King Yehoyakim and thus atoned for the death connected to the story of the golden calf), and was reincarnated once more as Zechariah HaNavi. (Shaar HaGilgulim, Hakdama 33)
According to other sources, Aaron HaKohen also returned in the gilgul of Eli HaKohen (who also had two unmarried sons), and then once more in the gilgul of Ezra HaSofer. Ezra HaSofer left Babylon on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the day Nadav and Avihu passed away, and arrived in Eretz Yisrael on Rosh Chodesh Av.
Aaron's wife, Elisheva, was later reincarnated as Batsheva, wife of King David. (Kitvei HaAri – Shaar HaPsukim, Shmuel II)
Israel had three worthy leaders: Moshe, Aaron and Miriam. (Taanit 9a)
The merit of Moshe and Aaron alone was enough to save Israel (Shemot Rabbah 15:3).
Not everyone receives an answer when they fall prostrate in prayer, and not everyone when they tear their garments.
Moshe and Aaron received answers.
It is said of Aaron: "Ohev Shalom ve-rodef Shalom" – he loved peace and pursued it, loved people and drew them close to Torah. (Avot 1:12)
Aaron never said to a man or woman, "You have sinned." Moshe, however, would rebuke them. (Sifra Shemini 1)
When Aaron walked and encountered a wicked person, Aaron would greet him. The next day, when that person wanted to sin, he would think: "Woe is me! How can I lift my eyes and look at Aaron? I am ashamed before him, for he showed regard for me." (Avot D'Rabbi Natan 12:3)
When two people quarreled, Aaron would go to one of them and say: "My son, know that your friend said: 'I am ashamed before him, because I sinned against him.'" Aaron would sit with him until the pain left his heart. Then Aaron would go to the other one and tell him the same thing. Aaron would sit with him until the pain dissipated from his heart as well. In this way he made peace between people. (Avot D'Rabbi Natan 12:3)
Aaron made peace between husband and wife so that they would stay together, and they would name their child after him. Aaron would tie an iron rope around his waist and walk around the houses of Israel. He taught Kriyat Shema and the prayers to all who were unlearned, and he taught Torah to all who could not learn Torah on their own. (Tanna D'Vei Eliyahu Rabbah, ed. Meir Ish Shalom).
When Moshe spoke, Aaron would lean in to listen with reverence, as if he were hearing it directly from Ha-Shem. (Mechilta Bo 3)
In the merit of these three tzadikim, the Jewish people were granted three miracles: in the merit of Moshe – the manna, in the merit of Aaron – the pillar of cloud, in the merit of Miriam – the well of water. (Sifrei Devarim 305)
May the merit of the tzadik Aaron HaKohen protect us all!
(https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/54-Aharon-HaCohen)
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Yishmael Kohen HaGadol