After providing us with the lineage of the tribe of Levi, the Torah informs us, “These are Aaron and Moshe to whom Hashem said, ‘Bring out the Children of Israel. . .'” (6:26). This means to say that the same Aaron and Moshe who were just mentioned in the lineage of Levi are the men who went before Pharaoh.
Many of the commentators are bothered by the fact that Aaron’s name is mentioned before Moshe’. Throughout the Torah, except where their lineage is described (where the eldest always takes precedence), Moshe’ name is listed before Aaron’s. Even in the following verse Moshe is mentioned first. It is unlikely that the Torah is simply trying to be fair, allowing for Aaron to receive some of the spotlight, because if that were correct
, the Torah should then follow suit by listing Aaron first in many more places. What is the Torah trying to convey here?
Rashi, answers that the Torah goes out of its way to mention Aaron first to teach us that Aaron and Moshe were equivalent. This would seem to mean that they were on the same level in their righteousness and dedication. But is this really true? Moshe is acclaimed as the ultimate prophet (Deut. 34:10), the most humble of all men, and is the individual through whom the Torah was given to the Jewish people. He spoke to Hashem face to face. How can the explanation be that Aaron was equal to Moshe?
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, answers that the Torah does not mean to say that they were equal in their actual accomplishments. Rather, the message is that Aaron fulfilled his mission in life to perfection, just as Moshe fulfilled his. Aaron spent his entire life doing the will of Hashem. When Moshe was selected as leader of the Jewish people, Aaron showed no signs of jealousy or ill will. In fact, the Torah testifies that Aaron was truly happy for Moshe. Aaron accomplished his mission to his utmost capabilities and is therefore considered the equal of Moshe. Granted that Moshe reached a greater proximity to Hashem, but their missions and capabilities were different, therefore rendering their measures of success unique.
In our lives, we often feel that the obstacles to success are insurmountable and that we will never accomplish the goals we assume are required to ensure us of greatness.
Subconsciously, we develop the idea that since we won’t be successful anyway,
it simply isn’t worth it to expend the energy required to try.
Through Aaron, the Torah is teaching us that we each have our own individual niches in life, our own milestones and measures of success. After 120 years when we stand before Hashem in the heavenly court, He isn’t going to ask us why we weren’t Moshe. Rather, He will ask us why we didn’t reach the heights we were capable of reaching. Let us all strive to reach our potential so that we will be prepared for that day in court.
Good Shabbos!
