Parashat Tesaveh- What Goes Around Comes Around
Parashat Tesaveh speaks at great length about the Bigdeh Kehuna, the priestly garments worn by the Kohanim, and about the consecration of Aharon as the Kohen Gadol (high priest).
The Sages teach that originally, it was Moshe, Aharon’s brother, who was to have been anointed as Kohen Gadol. As the greatest person who ever lived, Moshe was to have assumed not only the roles of leader, teacher and prophet, but also the role of the high priesthood. But God denied Moshe this privilege because of his initial refusal to accept the mantle of leadership. When God appeared to Moshe at the burning bush and instructed him to go to Egypt and lead Beneh Yisrael out of bondage, Moshe refused, arguing for seven days that God should appoint somebody else. Moshe eventually accepted the assignment, but as punishment for his arguing he was denied the privilege of serving as the Kohen Gadol.
When the time came for Moshe to anoint his brother as the Kohen Gadol, we might have assumed that he harbored hard feelings and resentment. He now had to consecrate his brother for this distinguished position – which was originally supposed to have been his! But this was not the case at all. The Talmud relates that as Moshe poured the anointing oil over Aharon’s head, and the oil trickled down onto his beard, Moshe felt as though the oil dripped onto his beard. Meaning, he rejoiced and celebrated Aharon’s anointing as though he himself was anointed Kohen Gadol. Not only did Moshe not harbor any hard feelings toward his brother – he was as happy as he would have been if he had been appointed Kohen Gadol!
Moshe’s positive response to his brother’s appointment as Kohen Gadol was not coincidental. Besides being a testament to his noble character, it was likely also the result of Aharon’s similar response to Moshe’s appointment as leader. The Sages teach that during the years Moshe spent in Midyan, away from Egypt, Aharon served as the religious leader of the people. Suddenly, Moshe arrived in Egypt with the news that God had appointed him leader. One might have expected Aharon to feel resentful. He had led the people very capably all these years. Why should he suddenly relinquish the role of leader and give it to his younger brother, who had been away for several decades? Yet, Aharon rejoiced at Moshe’s appointment. He felt happy that his younger brother would assume the role. Aharon harbored no feelings of jealousy, and had no interest in the fame or honor of leadership. His younger brother’s appointment did not upset him – it brought him genuine joy.
They say that what goes around comes around. Aharon’s positive response to Moshe’s appointment came around again when Moshe reacted lovingly to Aharon’s appointment. If Aharon had reacted with resentment to Moshe’s appointment as leader, then Moshe would have likely felt a similar tinge of resentment when anointing Aharon as Kohen Gadol. But Aharon succeeded in fostering mutual feelings of fraternal love and respect. His selflessness and humility impacted upon Moshe, and helped ensure that Moshe would react similarly when Aharon was consecrated as the Kohen Gadol.
This is a critical lesson for us to learn and implement. If we act kindly, patiently and selflessly with our peers, we create an atmosphere of goodwill and friendship that will only help us further down the road. If what "goes around" is love and respect, then this is what will eventually "come around." We should endeavor to avoid jealousy and animosity and treat others with genuine friendship and kindness, and then these feelings will ultimately be reciprocated and spread throughout our families, community, and all Am Yisrael.
