Although Aaron was aware that it was his performance of this special day’s rituals that would bring G‑d’s presence into the Tabernacle, and he did everything exactly as Moses instructed, he still felt unworthy of his role. The memory of his participation in the incident of the Golden Calf still weighed heavily on him.
Aaron expressed these sentiments when he blessed the people, applying the text of the priestly blessing to the day’s unique circumstances: He said, “We know that G‑d’s presence can only dwell in this Tabernacle if He has forgiven us for the incident of the Golden Calf. Since I played a central role in this incident, His forgiveness for all of us depends upon His forgiving me. Therefore, until we know that G‑d has forgiven me, I cannot bless your efforts by myself. Therefore, I must appeal to G‑d Himself to bless you and watch over you. May G‑d shine His face to you and grace you with His presence, as a result of His being partial toward you, forgiving you the sin of the Golden Calf, and thereby granting you peace.”
Like all great Jewish leaders, it was Aaron’s feelings of inadequacy that truly made him fit for his role.1
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