Aaron the High Priest: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Peacemaker of History

1. The Eldest Brother of Moses

Aaron the High Priest was the eldest son of Amram and Yocheved, and the brother of Moses and Miriam. He was three years older than Moses. Aaron played a crucial role alongside Moses during his encounters with Pharaoh, serving as Moses' "mouth" due to Moses' speech impediment, performing signs and miracles, leading the Israelites in Egypt and through the Exodus, at the splitting of the Sea of Reeds, and in establishing the Levite and priestly system.

2. Father of the Priests

Aaron was granted the priesthood, which was bequeathed to his descendants. All priests throughout the generations are his offspring.

3. No Envy of His Younger Brother’s Greatness

Aaron earned his role because when he saw that Moses, his younger brother, was chosen by Hashem to lead the Israelites from Egypt, he did not envy him. The sages derive this from the verse "and he will see you and be glad in his heart." Hashem assured Moses that Aaron would not be jealous, but instead, rejoice in his brother's appointment. It was this joy that qualified Aaron to be chosen as the High Priest, founding a lasting priesthood. Aaron was the first firstborn in history not to begrudge his younger, more prominent sibling. He transcended his natural instincts, which previous firstborns had failed to do, and was thus chosen to establish a line of priests devoted to transcending human folly, the supernatural sanctity. Aaron successfully corrected the natural order, earning his rightful place. Aaron was divinely assisted in overcoming his nature, emphasizing his innate priesthood.

4. Aaron’s Silent Acceptance

Aaron is emblematic of accepting suffering with love. On the day of the dedication of the Mishkan, his great day of service, his two sons were burnt. On the eighth day, as he was officiating in the priesthood, his elder sons Nadav and Avihu died for offering unauthorized fire. They were succeeded by their younger brothers, Elazar and Ithamar. The Torah describes Aaron's response: "And Aaron was silent."

5. Divine Endorsement of Aaron

During their desert journey, Korach challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron. However, Hashem affirmed Aaron's selection through the incense test—the 250 men with Korach perished when offering incense, but Aaron's incense offering halted a plague. Another sign was Aaron's budding staff, as recounted in the Book of Numbers.

6. Lover and Pursuer of Peace

In Pirkei Avot, it says: "Be among the students of Aaron, a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace." In Avot de-Rabbi Nathan, Aaron’s method is described: "Two people in a dispute, Aaron would approach one and say, 'Your friend is tearing out his heart and clothes, lamenting, "How can I face him, feeling guilty for wronging him?"' He would do the same with the other until each softened their heart. When they met, they would embrace and kiss." Aaron remains a symbol of love and peace.

7. Peacemaker Between Couples

According to Avot de-Rabbi Nathan, Aaron was the first known 'marriage counselor' with remarkable success. Many children named Aaron were born because of his reconciliation efforts between husbands and wives, leading to families naming their sons in his honor.

8. Clouds of Glory

When Aaron died, the protective Clouds of Glory shielding the Israelites in the desert departed, highlighting how they existed due to his merit.

9. Passed Away on Rosh Chodesh Av

Aaron passed on Rosh Chodesh Av, the only yahrzeit explicitly mentioned in the Torah. He died in the fortieth year of the Israelites' desert sojourn, before entering the Land of Israel at Mount Hor, on the border with Edom. It’s customary to fast on this day, even though it is generally forbidden to fast on Rosh Chodesh.

10. "Would That I Had Come Earlier"

Aaron was 123 years old at his passing. Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s successor Elazar were summoned up the mountain. There Moses stripped Aaron of his priestly garments and vested them upon Elazar, as Aaron passed away in a kiss from Hashem.

In Yalkut Shimoni:

"Hashem descended and took Aaron’s soul with a kiss, as Moses and Elazar kissed him—Moses on one cheek, Elazar on the other. Some say Moses undressed him from the feet as the Cloud of Glory enveloped him. 'What do you see?' Moses asked. Aaron replied: 'I see nothing, only the cloud covering the exposed parts.' It continued until the cloud completely covered him. 'Aaron, brother, what is this death of the righteous?' Aaron said, 'I do not deserve to tell you, but would that I had come sooner to this place.' Witnessing Aaron’s death, Moses longed for his own."

The Israelites mourned him for 30 days, reflecting their love for him. Halachic sources (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 580:1-2) permit fasting on Rosh Chodesh Av in honor of Aaron’s passing.

Rabbi Boaz Shalom explains how Aaron embraced divine judgment with love: