Parashat Beha'alotecha - Maintaining Humility in Positions of Prominence
The first section of Parashat Beha'alotecha presents the instructions concerning the kindling of the Menora in the Mishkan, a special task that was assigned to Aharon. After presenting these laws, the Torah writes, "Va'ya'as Ken Aharon" – "Aharon did so" (8:3). Rashi comments, "This speaks his praise, in that he did not deviate." Meaning, according to Rashi, the Torah here applauds Aharon for not deviating at all from the instructions conveyed to him with regard to the kindling of the Menora.
Many Rabbis addressed the obvious question of why Aharon's obedience earned such accolades. If we would receive a prophecy instructing us to perform a certain ritual, wouldn't we comply without hesitation? Is it surprising or noteworthy that a man as righteous as Aharon meticulously obeyed God's commands regarding the Menora?
The great Hassidic master Rabbi Meir of Premishlan (1703-1773) explained that Rashi speaks here not of Aharon's compliance with God's instructions, but rather of his relationship with the people. Aharon was renowned for his humble, personable nature. Despite his stature, he was very much a "people person," who worked closely with people from all backgrounds, settling disputes and helping people deal with their day-to-day struggles. He did not live a bureaucratic life, separate and aloof from the commoners. Rather, Aharon became intimately involved in all aspects of the people's lives, and thereby earned widespread admiration and love. In fact, the Sages teach that when more people mourned Aharon's passing than Moshe's, because of their immense feelings of love and personal gratitude toward Aharon.
The Torah here seeks to emphasize that this temperament did not change when Aharon received the great distinction of being assigned the exclusive task of kindling the Menora. Many times, wealth and prestige lead to arrogance and to a barrier between the individual and the masses. A person who suddenly becomes wealthy or assumes a prestigious post very often dissociates with the "ordinary" people and no longer takes an interest in dealing with their day-to-day concerns. But Aharon "did not deviate," he did not change his behavior and relationship to the people after rising to this prestigious position. Even after being chosen for the most coveted tasks in the Mishkan, he remained a man of the people, somebody who took great interest in even the simplest and most basic problems that the people confronted, and who took the time and made the effort to grant personal assistance to all who needed it.
