That feeling, that ache of separation, is what this week’s portion of Vayikra Rabbah (Leviticus Rabbah) touches upon. It centers around a seemingly simple phrase in Leviticus 16:2: "The Lord said to Moses: Speak to Aaron your brother… He shall not come at all times."
What does this mean, "he shall not come at all times?" Who is being restricted, and why?
The verse refers to Aaron, the High Priest, and his entry into the Kodesh HaKodashim, the Holy of Holies. But before we delve into the details, consider the context. Aaron had just suffered a devastating loss – the death of his two sons, Nadav and Avihu. So, how does God address Aaron in his grief?
Rabbi Avin offers a beautiful interpretation. He says that God tells Moses to, "Speak to the heart of Aaron," just as the prophet Isaiah implores, "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem" (Isaiah 40:2). It's an instruction to offer comfort, to soothe his pain. But then comes this restriction… "He shall not come at all times."
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon suggests that Moses himself was troubled by this limitation. According to this midrash, Moses wondered with anguish, "Woe is me. Has Aaron my brother been expelled from His proximity?" Imagine Moses's concern! Was Aaron being punished, ostracized in his grief?
The Rabbis, in their wisdom, delve into the meaning of "time" (et in Hebrew) in this verse. They expand upon the word et and suggest that “time” can mean an hour, a day, a year, twelve years (as in the years Joseph spent in prison, alluded to in Psalms 105:19), seventy years (referencing the Babylonian exile, as mentioned in Daniel 9:2 and Jeremiah 27:7), or even eternity, as illustrated in Psalms 4:8 which discusses the constant yield of grain.
The Etz Yosef commentary adds that the verse indicates that if Aaron enters the Holy of Holies and then exits, he cannot re-enter immediately.
This wide range of interpretations emphasizes that the word "time" is flexible and depends on context. So, what is the context here?
God reassures Moses, saying it's not about a specific duration – not an hour, a day, a year, or even eternity. Instead, God emphasizes that Aaron can enter "at any time that he wishes to enter, provided that he enters with this protocol."
What is this protocol? Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Ilai suggests it involves the High Priest’s garments, specifically the thirty-six bells and thirty-six pomegranates adorning his robe. Other Rabbis say seventy-two of each. While the High Priest wore simpler linen garments when inside the Holy of Holies, the Rabbis connect the entrance with the rituals and offerings performed beforehand in his full vestments.
So, what's the takeaway here? It’s not about arbitrary restrictions. It's about proper preparation, about approaching the sacred with the right intention and in the right way. Aaron wasn't being punished, but guided. God wasn't closing a door, but teaching Aaron how to enter with reverence and holiness.
Ultimately, this passage reminds us that even in moments of profound loss and grief, connection with the Divine is possible. But it requires humility, respect, and adherence to the sacred protocols that guide us. It's a message of hope, reminding us that even when we feel furthest away, the path back is always open, provided we approach it with the right heart and preparation.