At the end of this week’s parshah, we find Moshe Rabbeinu instructing Aharon Hakohen and his sons in many of the details of the korbanos, and the parshah concludes with the words, “And Aharon and his sons did all the things that Hashem commanded, beyad Moshe—through Moshe.”
Rashi explains that the passuk is praising Aharon and his sons for “not deviating either to the right or to the left” of what they were told to do.
The Agra D’Kallah points out that using the language of hands suggests using the right hand, which is associated with ahavah—love, and the left hand, which is associated with yirah—fear. Aharon, and also Moshe Rabbeinu, served Hashem perfectly, using both middos in the correct proportions, as Rashi says, “not deviating to the right or left.”
Another idea suggested by the metaphor of hands is that we can use both our hands at once. This is especially applicable in chinuch habanim. A child must be disciplined, but at the same time he needs to know that he is loved; it’s not one or the other, alternating between the two important messages, rather both together, at all times. Children need to know that loving them always doesn’t mean that we will tolerate any behavior — in fact, applying limits is actually an expression of our love and caring. Finding the right balance between love and limits is sometimes a challenge, especially as each child needs a different balance, but with siyatta diShmaya parents can find the right way.
