Let It Be Known to All!

Although one’s focus on publicity and fanfare is a sign of superficiality, it can enhance an already existing deep relationship.

Atonement

This week’s parsha – Shemini – discusses the events that occurred on the first day of the Month of Nissan, at which time Aaron was installed as the High Priest.

One of the offerings he was commanded to bring was a calf. Why a calf? Rashi explains that this was “to let it be known that G-d forgave him for his role in the construction of the Golden Calf by way of this calf offering.”

A question was raised as to why Rashi could not have simply stated that the offering of the calf was to serve as atonement for Aaron for his role in the construction of the Golden Calf. Why the need for Rashi to preface that statement with the words: “to let it be known?”

The simple answer is that whenever a person is appointed to leadership, he must not only be devoid of sin, but also avoid the appearance of sin and impropriety. When the two tribes of Gad and Reuben asked to get their inheritance on the east bank of the Jordan, Moses rebuked them harshly for insinuating that they would stay behind while their brethren would fight to conquer the land. These two tribes then clarified their position that they intended to join their brethren in the conquest and only then would they return to the east bank.

When Moses heard their revised proposal he agreed to it and exhorted them to keep their commitment. Moses concludes with the words: “You will be clean to G-d and Israel.” Our Sages derive from this that one should not only be clean in one’s relationship with G-d. One must also make sure that there is no appearance of impropriety; that others should not think that something was done wrong.

Applying this principle to Aaron it may be suggested that if Aaron had not brought the calf as an offering, it might have been presumed that he was still guilty for his role in the Golden Calf debacle. Hence, by commanding Aaron to bring the calf as an offering, G-d let it be known to all that he was forgiven for that sin. He was now “clean to G-d and Israel.”

Sign of Affection

A contemporary Chassidic Master (the previous Rebbe of Skulen) offers a different answer to the question as to why Rashi prefaces the words: “to let it be known.”

In the Talmudic treatise Ethics of the Fathers the great Sage Rabbi Akiva teaches:

“Beloved is man, for he was created in the image of G-d. It is a sign of even greater love that it was made known to him that he was created in the image G-d, as it is stated: ‘For in the image of G-d He made man.’

Beloved are the people of Israel, for they are called children of G-d. It is a sign of even greater love that it was made known to them that they were called children of G-d as it is stated: ‘You are children of G-d your G-d.’

Beloved are the people Israel, for they were given a desirable instrument, as it is stated: ‘For I have given you good merchandise; do not forsake My Torah.’”

From these words we can see that there are two levels of love. One could love someone or something. But when they articulate their love for that person or thing it is a sign that the love is of a higher magnitude. Telling someone how special they are—assuming that it is sincere and not just flattery— expresses an even higher level of appreciation of that individual.

We can now understand why Rashi did not simply state that the calf offering was an atonement for Aaron. It should be assumed that Aaron had atoned for his involvement with the Golden Calf in the months preceding the events discussed in this week’s parsha. The events of this week’s parsha take place on the first of Nissan, one year after the Exodus. The Golden Calf saga occurred on the seventeenth of Tammuz, almost nine months earlier during which time G-d had already given Moses a second set of tablets indicating His desire to forgive the Jewish people for their involvement in the Golden Calf incident.

The question thus arises, why did Aaron have to bring a calf offering? A follow up question: If Aaron’s repentance until now did not suffice due to the sheer magnitude of the sin and the higher expectations G-d had of him how does the offering of a mere calf remove the stain of the Golden Calf from him?

Rashi, therefore explains that the purpose of offering the calf was not for his atonement. Rather, G-d wanted everybody to know that he had been forgiven. After all, even if someone asks forgiveness for hurting another and is granted forgiveness, the relationship will rarely be as loving as it was prior to the incident that caused the rift. It takes much more than simply saying “I’m sorry” to restore the trust and love.

Aaron’s case, however, was different. By having Aaron bring an offering from a calf it was G-d’s way of showing him that His love for him was not diminished. It was as strong, if not stronger, than it was initially. Letting everyone know that he was forgiven served to enhance Aaron’s stature in the Jewish community, inasmuch as it expressed G-d’s great love and affection for him. Now everybody knew how special Aaron was.

Galus: Hidden Love

In applying the above to Jewish history it can be said that when the Holy Temple stood and we witnessed overt miracles on a daily basis, it was G-d’s way of telling the world that He loves the Jewish people.

Indeed, the Talmud states that the miracle of “ner ha’ma’aravi-the western lamp” of the Menorah that would never extinguish on its own was a testimony to the world that the Divine presence rested in Israel.

Similarly, the Jews who came to Jerusalem for the three pilgrimage Festivals would be shown how the Show Bread that was placed on the Table in the Temple would stay warm for a week. This, the Talmud states, was to demonstrate G-d’s affection for the Jewish people.

In Galus/exile, however, G-d’s love is concealed. As a general rule, we do not see G-d’s miracles and that suggests that He is not ready to show His love for us to the entire world.

One of the things that will change with the future Redemption through Moshiach will be the way G-d will let it be known how much He loves us.

The application of this narrative to our times is that although as a people we certainly have our shortcomings. We have done things in the past that have distanced us from G-d. And even though the Merciful G-d has certainly forgiven us, there are those nations of the world that will constantly taunt us that we have lost our status as the “Chosen Nation.” This is one of the facts of life in Galus.

However, when we survey the events of recent years and decades we see a plethora of miracles wrought by G-d for the sake of the Jewish people. These miracles—that are, by definition, public displays of His love for us— is G-d’s way of telling the entire world that we are special to Him.

But, until such time, when Moshiach will be sent by G-d to redeem us and restore us to our original position, the hostile nations will continue to impugn our integrity. Thus, our plea for Moshiach is a plea for G-d to show us and the entire world in ways that leave no room for doubt that we enjoy a special relationship with Him and that His love for us has not been and will never be diminished.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Shemini by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.