Parshas Achrai

The Kohen Gadol was not allowed to wear any gold when he entered the Kodesh Hakedoshim on Yom Kippur. Rashi explains that since the eigel was gold, we don’t want that sin to be remembered at the holiest time of the year- ‘The prosecution cannot become the defense’. The korban Ahron offered for himself and the Kohanim on Yom Kippur was par- a cow.
Why is it that no gold was worn for there is to be no reference to the eigel, yet the offering of the Kohen Gadol was an adult eigel- a cow? Why wasn’t that a reminder- one that we were trying to avoid- of the eigel?
To properly understand Klal Yisroel’s sin of the eigal is beyond the scope of our understanding. However we can learn the words of Chazal and how they explained it to us. We are taught that on some level Klal Yisroel was guilty of worshiping Avodah Zorah. That was Klal Yisroel. Ahron, however, made the eigal. How is it possible that Ahron- the Kohen Gadol, the head of Shevet Levi- who was the only tribe completely innocent of any wrongdoing at the eigel- stumbled so low to actually build an idol?
The Chein Tov, (I would like to publicly thank my uncle Yossi for sharing this piece with me and for opening the glorious sefer to the general public) in the name of R’ Shlome Alkavetz- the Baal Lecha Dodi- explains that Ahron, by making the eigel, was glorifying Hashem’s name. The Gemora says that if one contemplates committing a sin, he is not punished, except for the sin of avodah zorah. If one merely contemplates and thinks of worshiping avodah zorah his thoughts are like deeds and he is guilty of sinning. Klal Yisroel came to Ahron. They wanted to make an idol. Ahron realized that at that point - they were planning and wanted to worship avodah zorah - they were guilty already, even before they took any action. Klal Yisroel would be punished for their thoughts and no one would know why they were punished- for only Hashem knows people’s thoughts. Ahron felt that a great chillul Hashem would ensue had Klal Yisroel been punished for no apparent reason. By building the eigel, Ahron demonstrated for all to realize that Klal Yisroel was deserving of punishment.
The sin of the eigal was a shameful episode for Klal Yisroel. Hence when the kohan Gadol went into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur he did not wear any gold for it reminds of that shameful act. Ahron in his own avodah on that Holy day- when he asks for forgiveness for himself and all of the Kohanim- has nothing to be ashamed of, he wasn’t guilty of any sin at the eigel. Thus Ahron can bring a porah on Yom Kippur.

Parsha Point to Ponder

We find that Moshe davened 515 tefillos trying to reverse the decree that he cannot go into Eretz Yisroel.
Why do we not find Aron - who recieved the same decree at the same time- davening at all for the privilge to enter the holy land?

Parshas Teruma

This is the rough draft due to unseen circumstances I don't have a chance to polish it up sorry.

The Aron was made of a wooden box that was gold plated. The Rishonim ask, “Why was the holiest of vessels in the Mishkan not made of pure gold?” The Chizkuni answers that it was made of wood for wood is lighter and Hashem had mercy on the ones that had to carry it so he had it made of wood and gold. The Baal Zekainim M’baal Tosfes asks - We know that the Aron miraculously carried the ones that carried it, so what difference did it make how heavy it was if no one actually did any physical carrying of it? He answers that the miracle of the Aron carrying itself wasn’t a constant miracle, but rather an occurrence that happened when the need arose. He asks, if so why was Uzah- in Shmuel B 6;6- punished when he tried to save the Aron from falling? Was he supposed to expect the miracle to suddenly come about?
R’ Dovid Orlofsky said a beautiful answer. Hashem has no problem running the world on his own - he doesn’t need us to do anything for the world to go on. But he gave us a zechus to help out and make us feel like we are actually holding up the world. We have to realize that our efforts are basically useless for we can be replaced by Hashem himself and the world will still run as it’s supposed to. All the energy and hishtadlus we do to keep the world spinning is an honor that He lets us do something for him. Hashem had no problem making the Aron float on its own, for that was its natural tendency. He only applied the miracle when the need arose in order that the ones carrying it should be honored with the privilege of carrying this holy vessel. That is why it had to be made of a lighter material in order to make it easier to be carried. Uzah was supposed to realize that its impossible for the Aron Hakodesh to actually fall to the ground- it can carry itself when needed. Hashem laid down rules and no matter how much we think we have to save the world we must obey the halacha. He had no right to go against halacha in order to save Hashem’s holy vessel from disgrace. We must do all that we can to help the world- but we must know that it’s a privilege and an honor that was given to us.

A huge Happy 25th Birthday to Y.Y.H.