Editing Aaron (section)

===Jewish rabbinic literature===
The older prophets and prophetical writers beheld in their priests the representatives of a religious form inferior to the prophetic truth; men without the spirit of God and lacking the willpower requisite to resist the multitude in its idolatrous proclivities.<ref name=jd2>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|p=3}}</ref> Thus Aaron, the first priest, ranks below Moses: he is his mouthpiece, and the executor of the will of God revealed through Moses, although it is written fifteen times in the Torah that "the Lord spoke to Moses ''and'' Aaron."<ref>Sifra, Wa-yiḳra, 1</ref>

Under the influence of the priesthood that shaped the destinies of the nation under [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian]] rule, a different ideal of the priest was formed, according to Malachi 2:4–7, and the prevailing tendency was to place Aaron on a footing equal with Moses.<ref name=jd2/> "At times Aaron, and at other times Moses, is mentioned first in Scripture—this is to show that they were of equal rank," says the [[Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael]], which strongly implies this when introducing in its record of renowned men the glowing description of Aaron's ministration.<ref name=jd2/>

In fulfillment of the promise of peaceful life, symbolized by the [[Anointing|pouring of oil upon his head]],<ref>[[Leviticus Rabbah]] 10, [[Midrash Tehillim]] 133:1</ref> Aaron's death, as described in the [[aggadah]], was of a wonderful tranquility.<ref name=jd4>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|p=4}}</ref> Accompanied by Moses, his brother, and by Eleazar, his son, Aaron went to the summit of Mount Hor, where the rock suddenly opened before him and a beautiful cave lit by a lamp presented itself to his view. Moses said, "Take off thy priestly raiment and place it upon thy son Eleazar!" said Moses; "and then follow me."<ref name=jd4/> Aaron did as commanded; and they entered the cave, where was prepared a bed around which angels stood. "Go lie down upon thy bed, my brother," Moses continued; and Aaron obeyed without a murmur.<ref name=jd4/> Then his soul departed as if by a kiss from God. The cave closed behind Moses as he left; and he went down the hill with Eleazar, with garments rent, and crying: "Alas, Aaron, my brother! thou, the pillar of supplication of Israel!"<ref name=jd4/> When the Israelites cried in bewilderment, "Where is Aaron?" angels were seen carrying Aaron's bier through the air.<ref name=jd4/> A voice was then heard saying: "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found on his lips: he walked with me in righteousness, and brought many back from sin."<ref>Malachi 2:6</ref><ref name=jd4/> He died on the first of [[Av (month)|Av]].<ref name=sorh/><ref name=jd4/> The [[Pillars of fire and cloud|pillar of cloud]] which proceeded in front of Israel's camp disappeared at Aaron's death.<ref name=sorh/><ref name=jd4/> The seeming contradiction between Numbers 20:22 et seq. and Deuteronomy 10:6 is solved by the rabbis in the following manner: Aaron's death on Mount Hor was marked by the defeat of the people in a war with the king of Arad, in consequence of which the Israelites fled, marching seven stations backward to Mosera, where they performed the rites of mourning for Aaron; wherefore it is said: "There [at Mosera] died Aaron."<ref name=jd4/><ref group = "note">See [[Mekhilta]], Beshallaḥ, Vayassa, 1; [[Tanhuma]], Hukkat, 18; Yerushalmi Sotah, 1 17c, and [[Targum Pseudo-Jonathan]] Numbers and Deuteronomy on the above mentioned passages.</ref>

The rabbis particularly praise the brotherly sentiment between Aaron and Moses. When Moses was appointed ruler and Aaron high priest, neither betrayed any jealousy; instead they rejoiced in each other's greatness. When Moses at first declined to go to Pharaoh, saying: "O my Lord, send, I pray, by the hand of him whom you will send",<ref>Exodus 4:13</ref> he was unwilling to deprive Aaron of the high position the latter had held for so many years; but the Lord reassured him, saying: "Behold, when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart."<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|4:14|JPS}}</ref><ref name=jd4/> Indeed, Aaron was to find his reward, says [[Shimon bar Yochai]]; for that heart which had leaped with joy over his younger brother's rise to glory greater than his was decorated with the [[Urim and Thummim]], which were to "be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord".<ref>[[Canticles Rabbah]] 1:10</ref><ref name=jd4/> Moses and Aaron met in gladness of heart, kissing each other as true brothers,<ref>Exodus 4:27; compare [[Song of Solomon|Song of Songs]] 8:1</ref> and of them it is written: "Behold how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!"<ref>[[Psalm 133]]:1</ref><ref name=jd4/> Of them it is said: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other]";<ref>Psalm 85:10</ref> for Moses stood for righteousness<ref>Deuteronomy 33:21</ref> and Aaron for peace.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Malachi|2:6|JPS}}</ref> Again, mercy was personified in Aaron, according to Deuteronomy 33:8, and truth in Moses, according to Numbers 12:7.<ref name=jd4/><ref>([[Tanhuma]], Shemot, ed. Buber, 24–26)</ref>

When Moses poured the oil of anointment upon the head of Aaron, Aaron modestly shrank back and said: "Who knows whether I have not cast some blemish upon this sacred oil so as to forfeit this high office." Then the [[Shekhinah]] spoke the words: "Behold the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard of Aaron, that even went down to the skirts of his garment, is as pure as the dew of Hermon."<ref>{{Bibleverse|Psalm|133:2–3}}</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Sifra]], Shemini, Milluim; [[Tanhuma]], Korah, ed. Buber, 14</ref>

According to [[Tanhuma]],<ref>ed. Buber, 2:12</ref> Aaron's activity as a prophet began earlier than that of Moses.<ref name=jd2/> Hillel held Aaron up as an example, saying: "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace; love your fellow creatures and draw them nigh unto the Law!"<ref>Atlas Tours</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2021}} This is further illustrated by the tradition<ref>Preserved in [[Avot of Rabbi Natan]] 12, [[Sanhedrin (tractate)|Sanhedrin]] 6b, and elsewhere</ref> that Aaron was an ideal priest of the people, far more beloved for his kindly ways than was Moses.<ref name=jd3/> While Moses was stern and uncompromising, brooking no wrong, Aaron went about as peacemaker, reconciling man and wife when he saw them estranged, or a man with his neighbor when they quarreled, and winning evil-doers back into the right way by his friendly intercourse.<ref>{{harvnb|Kohler|1906|pp=3–4}}</ref> As a result, Aaron's death was more intensely mourned than Moses': when Aaron died the whole [[Israelites|house of Israel]] wept, including the women,<ref>Numbers 20:29</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Numbers|20:29}}</ref> while Moses was bewailed by "the sons of Israel" only.<ref>Deuteronomy 34:8)</ref><ref name=jd4/><ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|34:8|NASB}}</ref> Even in the making of the [[golden calf]] the rabbis find extenuating circumstances for Aaron.<ref name=jd4/><ref>Sanhedrin 7a</ref> His fortitude and silent submission to the will of God on the loss of his two sons are referred to as an excellent example to men how to glorify God in the midst of great affliction.<ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Zebahim]] 115b</ref> Especially significant are the words represented as being spoken by God after the princes of the [[Twelve Tribes of Israel|Twelve Tribes]] had brought their dedication offerings into the newly constructed [[tabernacle|Tent of Meeting]]: "Say to thy brother Aaron: Greater than the gifts of the princes is thy gift; for thou art called upon to kindle the light, and, while the sacrifices shall last only as long as the Temple lasts, thy light shall last forever."<ref name=jd4/><ref>[[Tanhuma]], ed. Buber, Behaalotecha, 6</ref>