7023 —מקורות לאהרן כאחד משבעת הרועים בתורה אור ובזוהר

Shalom u'Vrachah! [Days of Selichos 5719] In response to your question about the source for what is written in Torah Or (32b) and in Likkutei Torah Behaaloscha (29c) that Aharon is one of the seven shepherds, since in Sukkah (52b) it is not mentioned. This is also found in other places in Torah Or—as noted in the index. The source for this can be given as twofold: a) In Zohar Chadash (at its end, Tikkunim 104a): "Ra'aya Meheimna stood on his feet and said: The holy shepherds—Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Adam HaRishon, Aharon, David, and Shlomo." Based on this, it also answers: 1) In Torah Or (82a)—that Avraham is the first shepherd, while in Sukkah it is Adam HaRishon. 2) In Torah Or (33c), it implies that Yitzchak is also included among the shepherds. b) In Zohar II (26b): "He (singular language) Aharon and Moshe—to be included one with another." See also Taanis 8a. It can be said that therefore, in those sources only one of them is counted—the main one for that context. And this suffices.

Furthermore, there is an additional main question here. In Torah Or and Likkutei Torah it explains that the concept of the seven shepherds is that they channel G‑dliness to Knesses Yisrael etc.—and it is not at all understood what relevance Sheis and Mesushelach have here? The tzt"z on the verse in Micha (5:4) points out two interpretations for the word "vehaKimonu": a) referring to Ashur; b) referring to Bnei Yisrael (as per Targum)—and consequently Ashur will be defeated automatically. Based on this, it seems possible to reconcile as above—that in Sukkah it follows interpretation a), while in Zohar Chadash according to interpretation b). And if not for my hesitation I would suggest checking early printings of Zohar Chadash; perhaps instead of Adam HaRishon it should read Yosef—similar to the Ushpizin of Sukkos. However, this explanation faces difficulty from what is written in Torah Or (33d) and Sefer HaMitzvos by tzt"z on Mitzvas Chanukah where he quotes from Sukkah above and explains about the shepherds as mentioned above. But see there that he brings from Zohar Chadash only Avraham, Yaakov, Moshe. This requires further investigation. And this is not the place to elaborate.

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 20 p. 643.

Summary

This letter explores various sources regarding who are considered among the seven shepherds of Israel—especially Aharon's inclusion—by analyzing passages from Torah Or, Likkutei Torah, Zohar Chadash, and Talmudic references. It highlights textual nuances and encourages deeper study.