Why Moses Entered Pharaoh's Court Before His Elder Brother Aaron

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vaera 13:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exod. 7:10:) "And Moses and Aaron came [unto Pharaoh]…." It was fitting for Aaron to enter first, since he was three years older than him. However, Moses was greater than Aaron in the eyes of the Egyptians, as it is said (Exod. 11:3): "Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt [in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people]."

Themes

MosesEgyptPriesthoodLawBible

Biblical References

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Legends of the JewsMoses and Aaron Appeared at Pharaoh's Birthday CelebrationThe scene: Pharaoh's birthday. A huge deal. He's not just any king, remember – according to Legends of the Jews, he fancied himself ruler of the entire world. TMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWhen God Told Moses in, See, I Have Made You an Overlord to PharaohWhen God told Moses in (Exodus 7:1), "See, I have made you an overlord to Pharaoh," a question immediately arose in the minds of the ancient rabbis. The verse sMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelMoses and Aaron Were Equal in Status Despite the Torah Listing Moses FirstThe Torah speaks "to Moses and to Aaron", in that order. Moses first, Aaron second. A natural reading would assume this reflects a hierarchy: Moses is the greatMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelHe Called to Moses and to Aaron What IsThe Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, expounding the night of the Exodus, pauses over the words "And he called to Moses and to Aaron" (Exodus 12:31), where Pharaoh sumMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThis is the statute of the Paschal offering"This is the statute of the Paschal offering." The question that animates this passage of the Mekhilta is whether the verse legislates only the one-time Pesach Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThen Miriam the Prophetess, the Sister(Exodus 15:20) introduces Miriam with a curious title: "the prophetess, the sister of Aaron." The Mekhilta immediately spots the problem. Miriam was the sister