Ahron had to bring an Eigel baby cow for a Korban to be M’chaper on the Chet HaEigel. Ahron is the holiest person in Klal Yisroel, who is M’chaper on the entire nation on the holiest day in the holiest place. On the day of his inauguration, what is his first Mitzva? To bring an Eigel.
Ahron was embarrassed, and needed encouragement from Moshe. The Ramban says that Moshe told Ahron not to feel so lowly; he should feel “at home” and do the Avoda since Hashem loves him.
This is a powerful lesson for us. In other religions, their leaders NEVER sin. By Klal Yisroel we can fall, since we pick ourselves up and forge ahead in our service of Hashem. This is our greatness. Now here comes an unforgettable story:
Reb Shmuel Makarov Zatzal was a poor man and great Baal Bitachon, who would never make a request from another person. He trusted that Hashem would inspire others to be thoughtful of his needs. He did not give in to pressure, even when Pesach came and he was penniless.
Sure enough, his Rebbe, the famous Chozeh of Lublin instructed one of his wealthy followers to send him a cartload full with all his needs for Yom Tov. At the first Seder, Reb Shmuel was full of Simcha. His heart was soaring high to the sky with happiness, for the lofty levels of Bitachon he achieved. On the second night, he laid down before the Seder to rest, and did not wake up until he barely had time to eat the Afikoman before Chatzos, causing him great anguish. This was his worst imaginable Seder in the universe.
When he visited the Chozeh after Yom Tov, his Rebbe remarked: In Shamayim the second Seder was far more elevated than the first, Davka since he was so broken about it.
Shlomo HaMelech said: תַאְרִי הָשִּׁא יִפֹיַּה לֶבֶהְו ןֵחַה רֶקֶשׁ 'הלָלַּהְתִת איִה משלי לא ל Charm is false and beauty is empty. Only a woman who fears Heaven deserves to be praised. Chazal say this is a Mashal to different generations in Jewish history. The generations of Moshe, Yehoshua, and Chizkiyahu were all on a very high level of learning Torah. Nevertheless, they are considered vain and false compared to the subsequent generation of Rabbi Yehuda, the son of Rabbi Ila’i which suffered poverty. The Gemara tells that six students had to share one Tallis shawl, yet they exerted themselves to learn Torah. Now, such conditions are conducive for low levels of Ruchaniyus. Yet, this generation is considered more God-fearing than previous generations. The Alter of Slabodka says this proves the superiority of our generation, which tries to grow despite our low spiritual state and other difficulties.
