Founder of the priesthood in Israel and first high priest. Son of Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi, elder brother of Moses and younger brother of Miriam. Moses' spokesman and aide in bringing about the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian bondage. God usually revealed Himself to Aaron without Moses present (Ex. 4:27; Lev. 10:8; Num. 18:1, 8, 20). Threatened by a menacing mob while Moses was on Mount Sinai to receive the Tablets of the Covenant, Aaron helped them make the Golden Calf.
His wife was Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon of the tribe of Judah. They had four sons, two of whom – Nadab and Abihu – died soon after the ceremony in which they were installed as priests. The other two – Eleazar and Ithamar – continued to serve, with Eleazar succeeding his father as high priest. Aaron died on the 1st day of Av at age 123. Jewish tradition regards him as the model peacemaker, "loving peace, pursuing peace, loving people and winning them over to Torah" (Avot 1:12).
