“Moses, Aaron, and the princes of the congregation counted the sons of the Kehatites by their families, and by their patrilineal house” (Numbers 4:34). “Moses, Aaron…counted.” Immediately Moses and Aaron acted, and they counted the sons of the Kehatites first, just as the Holy One blessed be He said to them. From where is it derived that the Holy One blessed be He said to both of them to count them?
It is as it is stated: “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying: Take a census of the sons of Kehat” (Numbers 4:1–2). Why is speech stated regarding Kehat and Gershon, but is not stated regarding Merari?16The verses contain direct speech by God to Moses and Aaron referring to two of the sons (Numbers 4:1-2, 21-22), but only an indirect reference for the third (Numbers 4:29). It is in order to accord honor to Gershon and to liken him to Kehat.
Why is Aaron not stated in the speech regarding the sons of Gershon as it is stated regarding the sons of Kehat? It is because Aaron is excluded from all the speeches that were stated to Moses, as the Divine Presence did not speak with Aaron. Why, then, are there several places where Aaron is written? It is not that the speech was with Aaron, but rather, in every portion that relates to Aaron, “Aaron saying” is written.
The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses, so that he would say to Aaron. This is why Aaron is written in the speech to the sons of Kehat. It is because every burden of the sons of Kehat and all their service was given to them by Aaron and his sons, as they were not permitted to touch the Ark and all the vessels until Aaron and his sons would cover them, just as it says: “Aaron and his sons shall conclude to cover the sacred [the Ark], [and all the sacred vessels…and then, the sons of Kehat shall come to bear…]” (Numbers 4:15).
That is why Aaron is written in the speech regarding the sons of Kehat, as he is commanded regarding their service and their burden. But regarding the sons of Gershon, you do not find that Aaron did anything there; rather, it is under his direction the sons of Gershon would do everything that they do, and their actions were under the supervision of Itamar, as he would assign to each and every one of them his service and his burden. That is why Aaron is not written in the speech in the portion of the sons of Gershon.