Aaron's role in The Golden Calf When the Jews left the land of Egypt they were on the 49th level of Tuma. When the Jews came to Mount Sinai, they had reached the 49th level of purity. So how can The Jews descend to the level of The Golden Calf? How is it possible that Aaron the high priest was capable in leading these people to make a golden calf? In addition how come Aaron wasn't punished like the rest of the people who were involved in this worship?The Bible states (Exodus 32:1-6) that The people saw that Moses had delayed in descending from the mountain, and the people gather around Aaron. Make for us a god. This was caused due to the error in counting the days in which Moses would return back to the Jews after he accepted the two tablets. Thus the Jews approached Aaron to make them a god, because they believed Moses wasn't coming back. So in response to this request Aaron the high priest, told all of the Jews to bring the gold and the bring it to him so that he may form this "Golden Calf". Rashi states (32:6) that since Aaron saw Hur killed. Aaron knew that is he stalled the Jews he would be able to allow Moses to descend from the mountain and a crisis would have been adverted. Aaron also assumed the fact that he asked for the gold of the woman, which this would stall because people are always resistant to give up their valuables. The Talmud in Sanhedrin states (7a) What did Aaron see? He saw that Hur was slaughtered before him on that day, and if I don't listen to them I will fulfill the Prophecy that a Navi and a Priest shall not be killed on one day. Therefore, he foresaw that it was easier to be forgiven for this sin then the other sin.Many commentaries see this action of Aaron as an action, which should be praise while others see it as a disgrace and that we shouldn't give Aaron any credit here. Rav Jeremiah suggests that when Aaron saw the people bring the gold he stated the fist sentence of psalm 123.The Midrash Rabbah s...
