Moses and Aaron as Israel's Two Breasts in Midrash Shmuel

Midrash Shmuel 15:1

"And Samuel said to the people: 'The Lord, who made Moses and Aaron, and who brought up your fathers out of the land of Egypt'" (1 Samuel 12:6). "Your two breasts" (Song of Songs 4:5)—[these are Moses and Aaron]. Just as these breasts are full of milk, so Moses and Aaron are full of Torah. Just as these breasts are the splendor of a woman, [so Moses and Aaron are the splendor of Israel; just as these breasts are the praise of a woman,] so Moses and Aaron are the praise of Israel. Just as these breasts are the glory of a woman, so too Moses [and Aaron] are the glory of Israel. Just as with these breasts, neither one of them is greater than its fellow, so Moses was not greater than Aaron, nor Aaron greater than Moses. Just as with these breasts, what the woman eats the infant nurses, so all the Torah that Moses learned he taught to Aaron. This is what is written: "And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord" (Exodus 4:28). And the Rabbis say: He revealed to him the Ineffable Name. Rabbi Abba bar Zutra in the name of Rabbi Samuel: A creature of flesh and blood does not prepare the bandage until he sees the wound; but He who spoke and the world came into being, blessed be He, is not so—rather, He prepares the bandage and afterward sees the wound. This is what is written: "For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says the Lord" (Jeremiah 30:17).

Themes

Biblical References