This week we buried the leader of our nation, the shepherd of the Yidden, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l. Has anyone else noticed that here in Eretz Yisroel it has been raining since Purim? As if the skies are crying at the loss of our leader. How apt, given this week’s parsha.
This same pasuk has been in newspapers across the globe describing our own mourning for the most recent loss of Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l. There is an obligation that we are made aware of in this week’s parsha to mourn and deeply feel the loss when a Gadol BTorah is taken from us. Their presence in this world is a shield for us, and in their death, they are mechaper on our sins. It is therefore incumbent upon us to feel the loss personally and grieve as such. We are a nation grappling now, lost with no direction. There is a pain to that which we should all be feeling deeply.
Let’s hope that his death was not in vain and we can soon be rescued from our heartache.
After Nadav and Avihu are burnt by a heavenly fire for brining unsolicited incense offerings on the mizbeach, Moshe tells Aharon and Elazar and Itamar, don’t shave your heads and don’t rip your clothing in mourning… וַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֙ כָּל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִבְכּוּ֙ אֶת־הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר שָׂרַ֥ף יְהֹוָֽה:. And your brothers in bnei Yisroel will cry over the conflagration that Hashem has burned.