Tzava is, as is well known, the Parcia in which, just for once, Moses takes second place.

Indeed, he is not mentioned by name at all, while the focus is on his brother Aaron,

and on the role he came to occupy and personify, that of high priest the Coen Gador.

There are many conjectures as to why this went to Aaron, as opposed to Moses

himself. The most obvious is that this was Moses' punishment for refusing one time too many

God's request that he lead the Israelites. But Moses said, pardon your servant, Lord, please send

someone else. Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses, and he said, what about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well, he's already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth. I will help both of you speak speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak

to the people for you, he will be your spokesman, and you will be his guide. There is, though,

a deeper message. The principle of the separation of powers, which opposes the concentration

of leadership into one person and one institution.

All human authority needs checks and balances if it isn't to become corrupt.

In particular, political and religious leadership,

Ketamalchut and Ketekuhunah should never be combined.

Moses wore the crowns of political and prophetic leadership,

Kedamahud and Kedah Dura, whereas Aaron wore the Ketakhanah, the crown of priesthood.

The division allowed each to be a check on the other.

That is the theory. What's especially interesting is how this

works out in terms of personal relationships, in this case between the two brothers, Moses

and Aaron. The Torah says relatively little about it, but the hints are fascinating.

Consider first of all the passage we've just seen from the beginning of the hints are fascinating. Consider, first of all, the passage we've just seen from

the beginning of the Book of Exodus, when God tells Moses that Aaron is already on his way to meet

you, and he will be glad to see you. They sound like simple words, but actually, they're

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