The ancient rabbis certainly understood that feeling. They saw it reflected in a particularly difficult year for the Israelites, a year marked by a triple tragedy.
The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal and ethical teachings related to the Book of Deuteronomy, tells us that in a single year, three tzaddikim – righteous individuals – passed away: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The prophet Zechariah (11:8) echoes this sentiment, lamenting, "And I lost the three shepherds in one month." But wait a minute… did they really die in one month? The text itself acknowledges the apparent contradiction. Weren't their deaths spread out over a year?
The Sifrei Devarim offers a fascinating explanation, one that highlights the interconnectedness of these three figures and the unique gifts they brought to the Israelites. When Miriam died, the miraculous well that provided water in the desert disappeared. Think about that for a moment: the source of life, gone. But, the text continues, it returned, thanks to the merit of Moses and Aaron. Then, when Aaron died, the pillar of cloud that guided them through the wilderness vanished. That constant, visible sign of God's presence, gone as well! Again, it returned, this time through the merit of Moses alone.
But when Moses died? Everything was lost, and this time, nothing came back. The well, the pillar of cloud… all gone. The Israelites were left "naked of everything," as the Song of Songs (8:8) poignantly puts it: "We have a little sister and she has no breasts." A vulnerable, immature nation, stripped bare. The loss of Moses was so profound that, according to the Sifrei Devarim, there was no consolation for Israel afterward.
Imagine the scene. Aaron is gone. The people, understandably distraught, turn to Moses. "Where is Aaron, your brother?" they demand. Moses, ever the faithful servant, tells them, "God has secreted him for eternal life." But they don't believe him. "We know you to be brusque," they retort. "Maybe he said something objectionable, and you imposed death upon him." Accusations fly, fueled by grief and disbelief.
What does God do in this moment of crisis? The Sifrei Devarim paints a remarkable picture. God takes Aaron's litter – his deathbed, essentially – and suspends it in the heaven of heavens. And then, incredibly, God eulogizes Aaron! The ministering angels respond, echoing the words of Malachi (2:6): "The Torah of truth was in his mouth, and wrong was not found on his lips. In peace and uprightness did he walk with Me, and many did he turn from sin."
Think about that for a moment. God, Himself, testifying to Aaron's righteousness. A powerful, divine intervention to quell the people's doubts and honor the memory of a beloved leader.
This passage from the Sifrei Devarim isn't just a historical account. It's a powerful meditation on loss, leadership, and the enduring impact of righteous individuals. It reminds us that when we lose those who guide and sustain us, the void can feel immense, even irreparable. But it also suggests that their influence, their merit, can continue to shape our lives, even after they are gone. And perhaps, most importantly, it reminds us of the importance of honoring their memory and striving to live up to the values they embodied. Can we, in our own lives, be a source of water, a pillar of cloud, for those around us? Can we strive to live with the same peace and uprightness as Aaron, and maybe, just maybe, help turn others from sin?