Originally published in the Jewish Journal · Table for Five
“Let Aaron be gathered to his kin. He is not to enter the land that I have assigned to the Israelite people, because you disobeyed my command about the waters of Meribah.” [Moses struck the rock in anger to bring forth water, but Aaron here is punished with a death sentence.] (Num 20:24)
The Book of Genesis is a chronicle of contention, even murder, between brothers. Now, after Aaron served as Moses’ mouthpiece, propped up his arm in battle, and seemingly played second fiddle, G-d sentences him to death for his baby brother’s impetuosity.
Is this just another sad story of sibling rivalry?
No, this time is different. When Aaron and Moses reunite before going down to Egypt, they kiss. Moses stands in for his brother, but only Aaron can operate the Tabernacle. And as we see here, they remain exemplars of brotherly love, their fates entwined to the end. Psalms sings of Aaron, “How sweet for brothers to dwell together.” Hinei mah tov u’manaim, shevet achim gam yachad.
Yeah, there’s a kerfluffle when Aaron and Miriam gossip about Moses – what family doesn’t have its ups and downs? G-d punishes Miriam with leprosy for her evil tongue, but Aaron takes his share of blame and begs Moses, “Please don’t count our sins.” Moses immediately pleads with G-d to spare his sister’s life, heartrendingly.
Their devotion ends the cycle of animus; the Hebrews have evolved. The sanctity of family becomes the foundation for Torah’s vision of a holy civilization. Israel’s citizens will treat each other as siblings – achim – rather than neighbors who merely submit to a mutually convenient social contract.
It’s said the Diaspora will end when Israel reconciles with Edom (Esau), the West. If sibling love can heal such cosmic rifts, how cool that we can practice at home, especially these days?
