תהלים, פרק ק״ה, פסוק כ״ו

As the redemption of the Israelites from Egypt draws near, God dispatches His messengers, assigning each a distinct status and purpose. Moses stands out as the central figure of this divine mission [אבן עזרא]. He is recognized as God's servant, a status he earned through his own personal effort and deep righteousness [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. In truth, Moses alone possessed the spiritual standing needed to perform the miracles and save the Israelites. The wonders performed in Egypt were not acts of magic, as the Egyptians initially suspected, but were entirely the result of Moses's profound righteousness [אלשיך].

Aaron was brought into the mission primarily to serve as a spokesman for Moses [אבן עזרא, מאירי]. However, there are differing perspectives on exactly who selected Aaron for this role. One approach suggests that it was actually Moses who chose his brother. Driven by immense humility, Moses preferred that Aaron be sent in his place and requested this from God, leading to Aaron's inclusion [אלשיך].

The primary approach among commentators, however, maintains that God Himself chose Aaron, specifically designating him to eventually become the High Priest [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This perspective highlights a profound distinction in the nature of the two leaders' greatness. Moses's elevated status stems from his active, personal service. Aaron's greatness, on the other hand, is rooted in the fact that he was chosen. While Moses achieved a higher, intensely personal level of spiritual greatness through his own labor, God's selection of Aaron carries a unique, eternal quality. This chosen status was passed down to Aaron's descendants, securing the priesthood for his family forever, a lasting legacy that was not granted to the children of Moses [מלבי״ם].