Saint Aaron

Aaron was the older brother of Moses — by three years — and the first high priest of the Hebrew people. Their older sister was Miriam. They were the children of Amram and Jochebed, of the tribe of Levi. In the story of Exodus his role is clear: Moses tells God he is no speaker, and it is Aaron who speaks for him before Pharaoh. He was the voice of a brother who couldn’t manage. Then there is the episode no one has ever let him live down. Moses has been on Sinai too long, the people grow impatient and ask for a god they can see. Aaron collects the gold earrings and casts the calf. When Moses comes down and demands an explanation, his answer is one of the most human in the Bible: I threw the gold into the fire, and out came this calf. As if to say: it just happened. Even so, it was he who was consecrated high priest, with his sons, and from him descend all the Kohanim. His staff that blossoms with almonds is the sign by which he is confirmed in the office. He died on Mount Hor without entering the promised land, like Moses. His name is said to come from Hebrew words meaning enlightened, exalted, of the mountains — and it is often linked to aron, the ark. If your name is Aaron, today is your name day.