How Moses Told Aaron of His Death by a Kiss on Mount Hor

"And Moses did as the LORD commanded" (Numbers 20:27). Moses was distressed at having to tell Aaron that he must die. Moses said to him: "My brother, the Holy One, blessed be He, has a deposit in your keeping, and He wishes that you give Him His deposit." Aaron said to him: "My brother, let the Master who deposited take His deposit; let Him take what He entrusted" — for Aaron thought that perhaps it concerned Elazar and Itamar. Moses said to him: "It is another matter; it is not the reckoning that you have reckoned." He said to him: "My brother, if so, what is it?" He said to him: "He asks of you one lamp." At once Aaron understood that he was speaking of his soul, and he began to weep. Moses said to him: "Do not be distressed, for your sons after you will inherit your place, for thus the Omnipresent has commanded me: that I strip off your garments and clothe with them Elazar and Itamar your sons, who will fill your place." At once Aaron sighed. He lifted his eyes and saw a couch made ready and a lamp kindled. Aaron went and lay down upon that couch, and after Moses stripped off the holy garments, at once he died by a kiss.