Parshas Yisro 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
בשנת מות המלך עזיהו ... (ישעיה ו-א)
The overwhelming impact of standing at the foot of Har Sinai receiving the holy Torah was an experience enjoyed by all of Bnei Yisroel, however, only a privileged few were permitted to see the awesome sight of Hashem’s “actual figure.” The Haftorah similarly tells of the vision of Yeshaya HaNavi who perceived Hashem sitting on a holy “chariot” surrounded by angels. He describes the atmosphere and how secrets and inner workings of the world were revealed to him.
The Navi begins his prophecy by saying “In the year of the death of the king Uzziya.” Why is it necessary to know this information, when the king expired? Plus, Chazal tell us that Uzziya didn’t really die; rather, he was inflicted with leprosy and was only considered as if he was dead.
The Chida zt”l explains that a king receives special divine help to rule his kingdom but loses it on the day of his death. King Uzziya was a righteous king who wrongfully attempted to sacrifice incense in the Bais Hamikdash, a task done strictly by Kohanim. As a result, Hashem inflicted him with Tzaraas which likened him to a dead man thereby stripping him of his divine assistance. The make-up of a king is his glory and splendor and his ability to project it to his citizens.
Yeshaya described the glory and splendor of “Hashem’s inner sanctum” contrasting it with Uzziya’s to show what a king looks like without his special support. While Uzziya did not actually die, his kingship no longer had the grandeur it so badly required, therefore, he would have been better off dead.