Aharon HaKohen's yahrzeit - Rosh Chodesh Av

The mishna says: "As Av enters, we diminish joy". Rosh Chodesh Av is the beginning of the stricter mourning period for the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash - First and Second. The restrictions of the Nine Days generally apply to Rosh Chodesh Av. (This is the Ashkenazi practice. S'faradim begin the restrictions on the second of the month.) It is one of two months on whose Rosh Chodesh fasting is not forbidden.
http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/av/default.htm

The yahrzeit of Aharon HaKohen occurs on Rosh Chodesh Av. We do not believe in coincidence. A connection must exist between the passing of the individual who personified brotherly love and the advent of the month which heralds a period of national mourning for the losses of our Batei Mikdash. The destruction of the second Bais Hamikdash was precipitated by sinaas chinam, unwarranted hatred, among Jews. Veritably, we do not find anywhere else in the Torah in which the date of the passing of a tzaddik, righteous person, is recorded, except for that of Aharon. It is as if the Torah wants us to remember that this spiritual giant died on Rosh Chodesh Av. Indeed, the Tur Orach Chaim, 580, writes that although it is Rosh Chodesh, one may fast. Chazal refer to this as taanis l'tzaddikim, fast for the righteous. Clearly, this day carries great significance.
Chazal exhort us to "be among the disciples of Aharon, love peace and pursue peace" (Pirkei Avos 1:12). Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, interprets Chazal to be teaching us that we require a mentor to teach us to love peace. Apparently, most people enjoy a good dispute, a raging controversy. It adds zest to life. When things are peaceful and everybody gets along, it is too quiet. Furthermore, when there is peace, too many people are taken for granted. No one notices them; they are not seen or heard. During a machlokes, controversy, these "little guys" suddenly come out of the woodwork, articulating their opinions and making their demands. Suddenly, they have a venue, an audience that will listen to them.
This is why we need a rebbe, mentor, of the calibre of Aharon HaKohen to teach us the significance of living peacefully. People would rather live with strife. In order to promote peace, however, we must first learn to love peace. Only then can we go to the next level in order to create a venue for peaceful coexistence.
http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/parsha/peninim/
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