A monumental task, right? You'd think Moses would be ecstatic, ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. But no, Moses hesitates.
He's not exactly thrilled about the prospect. He raises objections. As Ginzberg retells it in Legends of the Jews, Moses essentially says, "Lord, you want me to chastise Egypt and redeem Israel? Isn't that a bit much for one guy? Seems like a two-person job, wouldn't you say?"
Think about it. He's being asked to confront Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler on Earth. He needs to perform miracles, negotiate, and basically orchestrate a national liberation. It's a hefty to-do list. And Moses, ever the humble leader, feels inadequate.
But God, in His infinite wisdom, already has a plan. "Moses," He replies, "I know exactly who you have in mind to help you. The ruach hakodesh, the holy spirit, has already come upon your brother Aaron."
Now, this is where the story gets really beautiful. God continues, saying that Aaron is already on his way from Egypt, waiting to meet Moses. And here's the kicker: "When his eyes rest upon thee he will rejoice."
What a powerful image! Aaron, already filled with the holy spirit, is anticipating Moses' arrival with joy. No jealousy, no resentment, just pure, unadulterated joy at the prospect of working together. It speaks volumes about the bond between these two brothers, and about God's foresight in choosing them as partners.
The Zohar tells us that such partnerships are essential in carrying out holy work, that sometimes we cannot do things alone.
This little exchange between Moses and God is so relatable, isn't it? We all have moments of doubt, moments where we feel overwhelmed by the task at hand. But the story reminds us that we're not always meant to go it alone. Sometimes, the greatest blessings come in the form of partnership, in the form of someone who complements our strengths and shares our burdens.
And as we find in Midrash Rabbah, the importance of brotherly love is a lesson we can learn from this interaction.
So, the next time you feel like you're juggling too many balls, remember Moses. Remember Aaron. And remember that sometimes, all you need is a good partner by your side.