“Hillel said: Be amongst the disciples of Aaron, love peace and seek peace, love HaShem’s creations, and draw them close to Torah.”
Why did Hillel say, “Be amongst the disciples of Aaron,” instead of saying, “Learn from Aaron HaCohen to love peace and seek peace?”
Hillel chose the words, “Be from the disciples of Aaron HaCohen” to convey a valuable lesson. Some people mistakenly claim, “I am not able to forgive people who have disgraced me. My nature is obstinate and I cannot change it. Once someone offends me, I will never be able to love him. Even though I often act as if we are good friends, my actions are superficial.”
These negative character traits are the ways of the nations of the world who deny the Torah. Once they erupt in anger, their anger burns forever.
Nevertheless, there is a small number of B’nei Yisrael whose heart is overwhelmed with this inner corruption. Hillel comes to inform us that their stubborn claims do not align with the truth. Instead, HaShem grants each one of us the capacity to change the nature of our hearts. What’s more, each person possesses the resource to transform his nature into a new reality and become a new creation. As the Midrash states, “The evil people follow the will of their hearts, whereas the righteous master over the whims of their hearts” (Bereisheit Raba 34:10).
Hillel chose Aaron HaKohen as the paradigm of one who seeks peace because his primary occupation was making peace between people. Aaron HaKohen would even give up time from his Torah study to bring peace between striving parties. Whenever he heard that there was a dispute, he would run to that place to pursue peace.
Let us internalize this lesson and be true disciples of Aaron HaKohen: “Love peace and seek peace, Love HaShem’s creations, and draw them close to Torah.״ Forgive your friends if they offend you, and make seeking peace your primary occupation.
(Based on Sefer Haredim, Chapter Eight)
