Parshas Chukas: Aharon HaKohen's Life as Hallel

AI summary (may contain mistakes)

Why does the Rambam have halleluka answered 123 times, with the siman of Aharon HaKohen's 123 years? The Ramban on Es Hashem Elokecha tira v'oso sa'avod asks a person to serve like an acquired servant, so that even eating and sleeping serve Hashem. A whole life given over to Hashem is itself Hillel, the shiras hachaim of ahalela Hashem b'chayai. Aharon was the Kohen Gadol whose day was spent in the Beis HaMikdash, so the 123 halleluka announce his 123 years.

Key points

• The Ramban calls for serving Hashem like an acquired servant, even in eating and sleeping.
• Lo hameisim yehalelu kah means a life itself is praise, which the dead can no longer give.
• The 123 halleluka of Hillel announce Aharon HaKohen's 123 years, a life dedicated to Hashem.

In this shiur

1. 0:00Rambam on 123 times halleluka
2. 1:56Maseches Sofrim on hallu kel b'kodsho
3. 2:42Ramban on serving like a servant
4. 5:40Ahalela Hashem b'chayai and shiras hachaim
5. 7:31Gemara in Shabbos on the dead
6. 9:42Rambam on the Kohen Gadol's house
7. 11:25Aharon HaKohen and the 123 halleluka

Topics

• Hillel
• Avodas Hashem
• Aharon HaKohen
• Kohen Gadol