Why Moses Stood as Prince and Entered Before Aaron

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 181:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: at first he speaks harshly. The expression "he will speak" implies only harsh language, as you say, "The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us" (Genesis 42:30). He said to him: Aaron shall perform these things, and you shall stand as a prince, who decrees upon the elders and they carry it out, as it is said, "and you shall say to Aaron, Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh." "And Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh." Aaron was fitting to enter first, for he was greater than Moses by three years. But Moses was greater than Aaron in the eyes of the Egyptians, as it is said, "Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 11:3).

Themes

MosesLeadershipEgypt

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