Another matter, “and you, draw…near to you,” they said: When Moses descended from Sinai and saw Israel engaged in that act,4The sin of the Golden Calf. he looked at Aaron and he was striking it with a hammer. He intended only to delay them until Moses descended, but Moses believed that Aaron was a partner with them, and he was upset with him. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, I know how Aaron’s intention was for the best.’
This is analogous to a prince who was arrogant, and he took the chisel to undermine his father’s house. His tutor said to him: ‘Do not exhaust yourself, give it to me and I will undermine it.’ The king looked at him and said to him: ‘I know what your intention was. As you live, I will not place anyone in charge of my palace other than you.’
So too, when Israel said to Aaron: “Rise, craft us a god,” (Exodus 32:1), he said to them: “Remove the rings of gold” (Exodus 32:2). He said to them: ‘I am a priest, I will craft it and I will sacrifice before it.’ But he engaged in it only to delay them until Moses would come. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Aaron, I know what your intention was.
As you live, I will not place anyone in charge of the sacrifices of My children other than you,’ as it is stated: “And you, draw [Aaron your brother] near to you.” Where did He say this matter to Moses? At the Tabernacle. Rabbi Levi said: [This is analogous] to the friend of a king, who was the finance minister and the justice minister. [The king] sought to choose a military chief of staff and informed [his friend], saying to him: ‘It is your brother.’
So too, the Holy One blessed be He selected Moses as the finance minister, “not so My servant Moses; [in all My house he is faithful]” (Numbers 12:7). He selected him as justice minister, as it is stated: “Moses sat to judge the people” (Exodus 18:13). When He sought to appoint a High Priest, He informed him and said to him: ‘It is Aaron your brother.’