| The Influence of a Good Friendship
When Aaron HaKohen would notice a man not acting in accordance with proper Torah standards, he would befriend this person. The man would say to himself, "If Aaron knew my actions, he would not want to be my friend." The fear of losing Aaron as a friend would motivate him to improve his ways. How did Aaron come to know the wisdom of inspiring others to do teshuvah by befriending them? Aaron, himself, was in a constant state of awe of HaShem. Indeed, the awe of HaShem that he experienced and the teshuvah that it awakened, was the very reason that HaShem chose him to be he Kohen Gadol! Aaron understood that just as his awe of HaShem inspired him to always improve himself, so too, the influence of a good friendship brings out the best in each other.
Lesson: A sense of awe of HaShem is the proper state of mind to serve HaShem. The more awe and humility we attain, the greater we are motivated to improve ourselves.
Visualization: Envision Aaron HaKohen as your friend or mentor. Feel the awe of being in his holy and pure presence. Be inspired to improve yours deeds and character traits so that you can continue to enjoy his friendship.
(Based on the commentary of the Sefas Emes to the Torah)
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