The Impact of Aharon’s Death on the Nation

The precise date of Aharon's death is recorded as Rosh Chodesh Av. This is the sole example, throughout the entire Torah, of a recorded date of death and its significance cannot be underestimated. This lecture will focus upon the immediate impact of Aharon's loss to his generation, as well as its long-range influence upon the Jewish nation as evidenced by the date's inclusion into the list of (optional) Fast Days found in Shulhan Arukh.