Parshas Korach: 5785

“Hashem said to Aharon, “I am your portion and your inheritance in the midst of Bnei Yisrael.” (Bamidbar 18:20)

We often think holy people are above and removed from This World and its inhabitants. However, the Chasam Sofer writes that Hashem’s promise to Aharon was, despite him being the Kohein Gadol — the only man allowed into the Kodesh Hakodoshim — he still had the ability to remain “in the midst of the Jewish people.”

Aharon pursued peace. When he was niftar, “The entire Beis Yisrael wept for him.” Everybody! We don’t even find this by Moshe Rabbeinu. (Rabbi Yissocher Frand)

“Psst” I whispered to my husband. “Look! There’s Rav Ganz walking along, and nobody’s with him. Go ask him something!”

“What should I ask?” my husband stage-whispered back.

“Anything! Just grab this opportunity! Ask about Avi’s second name!

My son’s the only one in the family who’s named after two different people. I had since heard there were various opinions about this. There wasn’t much I could do about it now, but here was Rav Ganz… available to take away my guilt retroactively!