The ancient Jewish texts delve into this very idea, and one particular passage in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, offers a powerful insight into the meeting between Moses and Aaron.
The verse we're looking at is from Exodus 4:27: "He went, and he met him [at the mountain of God and he kissed him]." Now, on the surface, it's a simple reunion. But the Rabbis, in their wisdom, saw something much deeper. They connected this meeting to the verse in Psalm 85:11: "Kindness and truth met, righteousness and peace kissed."
So, who are these figures of Kindness, Truth, Righteousness, and Peace? According to Shemot Rabbah, "Kindness (ḥesed)" is Aaron. The text references Deuteronomy 33:8, "Of Levi he said: Your Tummim and your Urim for the man of your piety [ḥasidekha]." The Tummim and Urim were oracular devices used by the High Priest, and this verse associates Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, with piety and therefore kindness. "And truth" – well, that's Moses, as Numbers 12:7 states, "My servant Moses is not so, [in all My house he is trusted]." His unwavering commitment to God makes him the embodiment of truth.
But it doesn't stop there. "Righteousness," the Midrash tells us, is also Moses, citing Deuteronomy 33:21: "He executed the righteousness of the Lord." And "peace" – that's Aaron again. Malachi 2:6 says of him, "He walked with Me in peace and uprightness."
Now, about that kiss... The text acknowledges that not all kisses are created equal. Our Rabbis even say that, generally speaking, most kisses are indecent, with only three exceptions! So what made this kiss between Moses and Aaron so special? Shemot Rabbah offers a beautiful explanation: "This one was glad for the prominence of that one, and that one was glad for the prominence of this one." It was a mutual celebration of each other's strengths and roles.
Alternatively, the Midrash offers a different interpretation of "vayishak" (he kissed him), linking it to the Hebrew word meshek, meaning "transaction." They exchanged roles, each taking on aspects of the other’s responsibilities. Aaron took on some of Moses' leadership, and Moses recognized Aaron's priestly role.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman uses a compelling analogy. He compares the kiss between Moses and Aaron to solid gold, contrasting it with the deceptive kiss of Esau to Jacob, which he likens to "an earthen vessel plated with silver dross" (Proverbs 26:23). Esau's kiss was insincere, masking a wicked heart. But the kiss of Aaron and Moses? It was a "kiss of truth."
The text then presents a slight variation on these roles. Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon says Aaron is kindness and Moses is truth, while Rabbi Azarya flips it, saying Moses is kindness (for his actions with Joseph) and Aaron is truth, as "The law of truth was in his mouth" (Malachi 2:6).
Finally, the Midrash poses a fascinating question: To whom did God show deference in this meeting? Was it to Aaron, who had been in Egypt, prophesying to the Israelites? Or was it to Moses, the one who would ultimately lead them to freedom? Some say it was to Aaron, so that when Moses arrived, the people would believe him, knowing Aaron's prophecies had come true. Others say it was to Moses, so that the people would trust his leadership.
What does all this tell us? Perhaps it's about the power of genuine connection, of recognizing and celebrating the strengths of others. Maybe it's about the importance of truth and kindness in leadership. Or perhaps it's simply a reminder that true relationships are built on mutual respect and admiration, like the golden kiss between Moses and Aaron. What do you think?