Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 02:25:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Aharon

Joseph Laden in Bais Medrash Volume 2 Number 24 correctly states:
<  <  Our sages teach us that Aaron had tried to delay the sinful activity in
hopes that Moshe would return in time to stop it. His participation was
geared to slow things down and wrest control from the mob. This mob, the
Eirev Rav (mixed multitude), included Egyptian sorcerers who had followed
the Jews out of Egypt.>  >

Correct! I just wanted to add that it was more than the Mob---they had
actually murdered someone in cold blood. Chur, Aarons nephew was left to
help out with leading the people (Ex24-14) yet we never find him mentioned
again. The Bible explicitly says that "The people by the calf got up to
'brawl'"(Ex32-06). Furthermore when Joshua asks Moses about the noise of
the crowd Moses discretely answers "This is not a war refrain nor is it a
wailing refrain...it is a refrain of torture (Ex32-18)"

  From these 3 verses we infer that Chur had been murdered. (For the
translation I have given see http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn21-09a.htm where we
show that Tz-Ch-K in the Piel means derision and mockery. Four possible
verses where it could mean "to brawl" are brought).

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
Moderator Rashi is Simple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/

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