Moshe stripped Aharon’s garments from him and dressed Elazar his son in them; then Aharon died. (20:28)
Ramban explains that the garments which Aharon HaKohen wore were the begadim, vestments, of the Kohen Gadol. Elazar, his son, was now being inducted into Kehunah Gedolah, High Priesthood, by wearing these vestments. According to the simple p’shat, Moshe dressed Aharon in tachrichim, burial shrouds. He then removed Elazar’s secular garments and dressed him in sacred vestments. The Midrash, however, presents us with a different take. Apparently, Hashem performed miracles for Aharon and Elazar. Hashem performed a miracle whereby Moshe stripped him of his Priestly garments, and he donned “garments of the Shechinah” (miraculous, supernatural garments) in place of his original garments. Elazar was then dressed in Aharon’s garments.
Horav Chaim Zaitchik, zl, takes this scenario a drop further. Can one imagine the overwhelming nachas that Aharon experienced when he observed his son dressed in his Priestly vestments? He merited to see his son fill his shoes and ascend to his position as Kohen Gadol. Knowing that one’s legacy is being adhered to and continued is an invaluable, enviable gift.
We may not forget, says Rav Zaitchik, that just as there is overwhelming value to good, so, too, every minute of pain and suffering, regardless of its nature and intensity, is reckoned in Heaven. Why was Aharon zocheh to such miraculous Heavenly intervention? Aharon’s merit was the same manner in which he accepted Hashem’s decree that his two sons, Nadav and Avihu, die an untimely death. Aharon just stood there – mute – not uttering a word. It was these few moments of intense pain that engendered the few moments of unsurpassed nachas and joy. Middah k’neged middah.