The Legacy of Aharon HaKohen

by Rabbi Katz, Exec Director

7/25/2025, 3:55:18 PM

This Shabbat marks the yahrzeit of Aharon HaKohen, who passed away on the first day of the Hebrew month of Av, nearly 3,300 years ago. He was laid to rest on Mount Hor, a site commonly associated with Jabal Haroun (Aaron’s Mountain) near Petra, Jordan.

As the embodiment of loving and pursuing peace, Aharon HaKohen’s legacy teaches us that peace requires passion and strength. It’s about looking beyond differences and choosing not to dwell on past wrongs. By prioritizing peace and understanding, we can create an environment where everyone thrives, both in our private lives and in the world at large.

We applaud President Trump’s decision to leave UNESCO, which was based partly on its antisemitism. Jordan led the efforts to force UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee to reclassify the Western Wall as a Muslim site. The same move was attempted regarding the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem. This was consistent with Jordan’s treatment of the burial site of Moses’ brother Aaron, located near Petra. Jordanian law prohibits Jewish prayer at the site.

Pursuing peace, or “shalom,” has a profound impact on our personal relationships and communities. When we prioritize harmony, we foster deeper connections with others, build stronger families, and create more supportive communities. This, in turn, contributes to a more peaceful world. As Aharon HaKohen exemplified, loving peace unlocks our full potential and achieves greater good.

As we reflect on Aharon HaKohen’s legacy, we are reminded of the importance of supporting efforts to bring peace to regions plagued by conflict. President Trump’s initiatives, such as the Abraham Accords, have been a significant step towards peace in the Middle East, recognizing the shared values and interests between Israel and its Arab neighbors. His efforts to help Israel and promote peace in the region are truly commendable.

Running after peace, pursuing peace means that even when we’re bothered by someone, whether it’s in a private family matter, friendship matter, business matter, or even on a universal level, we should never look back and dwell on bad things that occurred in the past. We always have to look on the positive side and seek the good, giving others the benefit of the doubt and assuming the best. Once we look away from negativity and the bad, we can start dwelling on positivity, running and pursuing after Shalom, after peace. By acting in this way, we can make a better private life and a better universe. This is the lesson that we learned from Aharon HaKohen. May we follow in his footsteps and strive for harmony among families and communities, recognizing that peace is a fundamental aspect of our relationships and our world.

Let us support and encourage leaders like President Trump who are working tirelessly to bring about peace and understanding in our world. May their efforts be blessed with success, and may we all play a role in fostering a more peaceful and harmonious world, inspired by the legacy of Aharon HaKohen.