Numbers 20:23 Midrash: Midrash Tanchuma Buber

(Numb. 20:23–24:) THEN THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON ON MOUNT HOR, […:] AARON WILL BE GATHERED¹⁶⁰Although this verb is commonly understood as a jussive, LET AARON BE GATHERED, the midrash reads the verb as a simple future. <UNTO HIS PEOPLE>. <This passage> teaches that the righteous are informed of the day of their death, so that they may bequeath their crown to their children.¹⁶¹Tanh., Numb. 6:15; Numb. R. 19:17. So why did Aaron not die as Miriam died, since no one mortal knew about her <death>? It was, however, told to Moses: AARON WILL BE GATHERED <UNTO HIS PEOPLE>? <The situation> is comparable to a king who had two ministers of finance,¹⁶²Gk.: katholikoi. who did not act without the king's knowledge. One of them had a beautiful undergarment belonging to the king, which the king needed for himself. The king said: Although I have a need for that which is my property, I am not taking it away until I inform him. So also did the Holy One say: These two righteous men have done nothing without my knowledge. Now that I am taking them away, I shall not take them away until I inform them. It is therefore stated (in Numb. 20:24): <THEN THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON ON MOUNT HOR, …:> AARON WILL BE GATHERED <UNTO HIS PEOPLE>.