Full of Love
קדש ה מקום ב חטאת הת אכלתם אא לדוע מ יקצף על אלעזר ועל איתמר בני אהרן הנותרם לאמרו
“Moshe was angry with Elazar and with Isamar, the sons of Aharon that were left, saying: Why have you not eaten the sin-offering in the place of the sanctuary.” (Vayikra 10:16-17)
The Rambam rules (Hilchos Deios 6:7) that a person who sees his friend transgressing or engaged in inappropriate behavior is required to rebuke him and explain to him the error of his ways. The Rambam adds that this must be done in a soft voice and gentle manner, making it clear that the criticism emanates solely from a pure desire to assist and benefit his friend. In fact, Rav Chaim Volozhiner maintains that a person who is only able to deliver rebuke in an angry, condescending manner is exempt from this mitzvah based on the requirement of the Rambam.
A beautiful hint to this concept is found in our verses. The Torah tells us explicitly that Moshe was angry at what he perceived to be an incorrect judgment on the part of Aharon and his sons. Nevertheless, the first letters of the words of his actual criticism spell out מלא אהבה - full of love, hinting that even as Moshe carried out what he perceived to be his Divine obligation to protest their actions, he did so in a way that demonstrated his love for them and his pure motivations. (R’ Ozer Alport)
