Behaaloscha
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann
Man of the Masses
"And Aaron did thus; toward the face
of the Menorah he kindled its lights,
as Hashem had commanded
Moshe." (8:3)
"And Aaron did thus - This is a
telling praise of Aaron; that he did
not deviate." (Rashi)
Mefarshim question the above Rashi. Is this the greatest praise of
Aaron - that he did not deviate? Surely even a person of lesser stature
than Aaron would not have deviated from the word of Hashem. And
for that matter, why would Aaron even want to deviate? There was
nothing particularly difficult about the mitzvah of cleaning and
lighting the lamps of the Menorah.
Rashi, citing Midrash Tanchuma, explains why this passage
regarding the Menorah is written in the Torah immediately following
the offerings of the tribal leaders (which was at the end of last week's
sidrah). Aaron felt he had been blemished: Every tribe had been
represented by its leader in the inaugural service of the Mishkan
(Tabernacle) except his tribe, the tribe of Levi. "Perhaps," he thought
to himself, "it is because of my own personal faults and unworthiness
that my tribe has been excluded."
This week's sidrah begins with Hashem's response to Aaron: "I
promise you" says Hashem, "that your role in the Mishkan services
is greater than theirs. For to you I have given the beautiful mitzvah
of cleaning and kindling the Menorah flames every day."
Rabbi Meir of Premishlan zt"l (quoted in Sifsei Tzaddikim) explains
that the Midrash states that Aaron was a man of the people. He
mingled amoung them and visited them in their tents. If Aaron saw
two people in an argument, he would go back and forth from one to
the other until he had restored peace and friendship. If he
encountered someone who did not know how to pray, or to learn
Torah, Aaron would teach them. Every day, he would go from tent to
tent, visiting and greeting the people. When a person desired to sin,
he would desist, thinking to himself, "Tomorrow, Aaron the High
Priest will come here to say good morning, and he will see in my eyes
that I have sinned." Sometimes Aaron would find a husband and wife
who had separated due to marital strife. He would not rest until he
had succeeded in bringing them back together. Later, if the wife
became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, she would inevitably name
him Aaron, in virtue of the fact that is was because of Aaron that they
had remained together and had not been divorced. In fact, Chazal
(our Sages) teach that more than three thousand children were
named after Aaron during his lifetime. (Otzar haMidrashim quoting
Avos d'Rabbi Nassan)
Now Aaron had been elevated to new heights. He was honoured and
entrusted with the most beautiful service in the Mishkan; kindling the
flames of the Menorah. A person of lesser character and integrity
than Aaron might easily have contracted a case of swollen-ego at
such a juncture. After all, had not Hashem Himself told him that,
"Your role is greater than theirs." It would have been natural for Aaron
to become reclusive and protective of his position. It would not be
expected of one given the exclusive and unparalleled appointment of
Kohen Gadol (High Priest) to circulate amoung the common folk to
solve their domestic squabbles, nor to teach prayer and Alef-Beis to
illiterates.
But we are talking about Aaron, who's greatness was outdone only by
his humility. Each day, after performing the sublime Menorah service,
Aaron never forgot his other "position". Just as he always had, he
would leave the Tabernacle and wander amoung the common folk,
looking for ways to bring peace and harmony amoung friends, to
teach Torah and morality to the masses, and to bring all who
encountered him closer to their Maker.
This, says Rabbi Meir, is the praise of Aaron: He did not deviate.
Even after reaching the pinnacle of success, he never changed. He
was still the same old Aaron, knocking on doors and greeting his
fellow with a bright smile and an encouraging word.
Text Copyright © 1998 Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann and Project Genesis, Inc.
