Comentários de Citação sobre Números 20:26

Another interpretation: You are no better than he. That is to say, that just as he died because of this sin, so too will you die. [One might ask why] Rashi brings the other interpretation here? He does not [mention it] later in Parshas Haazinu (Devarim 32:50) where he only explains “that he yearned.” Similarly, [why he did not bring it] above in Parshas Chukas (Bamidbar 20:26)? It appears that usually the Torah writes, “As was gathered … על אשר מריתם ["because you disobeyed"]" but here it writes, “As was gathered … כאשר מריתם [lit. "like you (pl.) disobeyed"]” which implies that the reason why he would be gathered in like Aharon was because he sinned like him. Therefore Rashi also explains the other interpretation that “You are no better than he.” R. Yaakov Triosh.

I had indeed decreed. Twice I assigned greatness to the sons of Isomor: Concerning the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merori, it is stated, "Under the direction of Isomor, the son of Aharon the kohein."²³ Bamidbar 4:33. And Eili was one of the descendants of Isomor. This [explanation] I saw in Midrash Shmuel. I have, however, heard a more fitting explanation: "I had indeed decreed that your family and your father's family…" Originally I made Elozor the kohein to serve as kohein gadol, as it is stated, "remove Aharon's vestments, [and dress Elozor his son in them]."²⁴Ibid., 20:26. However, at the time of the concubine,²⁵ See Shoftim Chapters 19-21. Yisroel divested themselves of most mitzvos. And who was to blame [for this]? Pinchas and his associate kohanim, who should have gone around from city to city to reprove them. I therefore took the kehunah gedolah away from them, and gave it to you, for you are of Isomor's descendants, and I said, that they shall walk before Me forever; for when greatness is assigned to a person, it is assigned to him and to his generations forever.

כאשר מת אהרן אחיך [AND DIE] … AS AARON THY BROTHER DIED — i.e., and die by that death which you witnessed and for which you longed. For Moses stripped Aaron (before the latter’s death) of his first (i.e., the upper) garment, similarly the second, and similarly the third, and attired Elazar with them, and thus he (Aaron) beheld his son in his new dignity. Moses then said to him, “Aaron, my brother, ascend the bier”, and he ascended; — “Stretch out your hand”, and he stretched it out; — “Stretch out your leg”, and he stretched it out; “Close your eyes”, and he closed them; — “Close your mouth”, and he closed it, and thus did he pass away! Thereupon Moses said, “Happy is he who will die a death like this!” (Sifrei Devarim 339:3; cf. Rashi on Numbers 20:26).