Aaron Doubly Blessed Both Chosen and Brought Near

"And the LORD spoke [unto Moses, saying]: Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments" (Leviticus 8:1-2). This is what Scripture says: "Happy is the one whom You choose and bring near, that he may dwell in Your courts" (Psalms 65:5). Happy is the one whom the Holy One, blessed be He, has chosen, even though He did not bring him near; and happy is the one whom He brought near, even though He did not choose him. And who is the one He chose? This is Abraham — but He did not bring him near; rather, he himself brought himself near — as it is said, "You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram [and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees]" (Nehemiah 9:7); but He did not bring him near; rather, he brought himself near. Jacob — the Holy One, blessed be He, chose him, as it is said, "Jacob, whom I have chosen" (Isaiah 41:8), and it says, "For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself" (Psalms 135:4); but He did not bring him near; rather, he brought himself near, as it is said, "And Jacob was a perfect man, dwelling in tents" (Genesis 25:27). Moses — He chose him but did not bring him near, as it is said, "Had not Moses His chosen one [stood before Him in the breach]" (Psalms 106:23). David — He chose him but did not bring him near, as it is said, "And He chose David His servant" (Psalms 78:70); and he himself brought himself near, as it is said, "I am a companion to all who fear You" (Psalms 119:63). Happy are these whom the Holy One, blessed be He, chose, even though He did not bring them near. Come and see: Jethro — the Holy One, blessed be He, brought him near, but did not choose him. Rahab the harlot — He brought her near, but did not choose her. Happy is Aaron, doubly so, for He chose him and brought him near. Whence that He chose him? As it is said, "And I chose him [out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest]" (1 Samuel 2:28). And whence that He brought him near? As it is said, "And you, bring near to yourself Aaron your brother [and his sons with him]" (Exodus 28:1). Therefore David praises him: "Happy is the one whom You choose and bring near" (Psalms 65:5).