The Twelve Sent Out
7 And he summoned the Twelve to him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over impure spirits.
14 And the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “Is not Aaron your brother the Levite? [i.e., he was destined to be the Levite, and you, the priest—now, he shall be the priest, and you, the Levite]. I know that he can speak well. And, also, behold, he is coming out to meet you [when you go to Egypt] and he will see you and he will be glad in his heart [and he will not (as you think) be offended by your rise to eminence (for which reason Aaron merited the breastpiece, worn over the heart)].
Rashi’s Commentary
And, also, behold, he is coming out to meet you, when you will be going to Egypt.
Shabbat 139a:14
And Rabbi Mallai said: It is stated in the verse: “And the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “Is not Aaron your brother the Levite? I know that he can speak well. And, also, behold, he is coming out to greet
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you and he will see you and be glad in his heart” (Exo 4:14). Rabbi Mallai taught that as reward for Aaron’s lack of jealousy at seeing his brother Moses rise to greatness, as it is stated: “And he will see you and be glad in his heart,” he merited to become the high priest, and for the breastpiece for making decisions to rest on his heart.
Zevachim 102a:7
Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: Even in this case the anger’s effect is stated, as it is stated there: “Is not Aaron your brother the Levite? I know that he can speak well.” But isn’t Aaron a priest? Why is he referred to as a Levite? This is what God is saying to Moses: I initially said that you would be the priest and he would be the Levite; now he will be the priest and you will be the Levite.
15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. EXO 4:14-15
9 Two are better [in all areas] than one,
because they have a good reward for their labor:
Rashi’s Commentary
Two are better—In all aspects.
Than one—Therefore, a person should acquire for himself a companion and marry a woman, for they have a greater return in their labor. Much work is accomplished by two, because there are tasks that an individual would not start on his own.
10 For if they fall,
one will lift up his friend.
But woe to the one who is alone when he falls;
for he has no one to help him up. ECC 4:9-10
Rashi’s Commentary
For if they fall—To be understood according to its apparent meaning. And regarding studies, if his studies are too difficult for him, his companion will review them with him, or if he errs and is not exact in what he heard from his teacher, his companion will set him on the truthful course.
But woe—But woe is to him וְאִילוּ.
8 And he instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
9 but to wear sandals; and he added, “Do not put on two tunics.”
10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.
11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave, shake the dust off the soles of your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
I also shook out the front of my robe and said, “So shall God shake out any man from his house and from his toil [i.e., his possessions] who does not keep this promise; even thus may he be shaken out and emptied!”
Then the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. And the people did according to this word [i.e., as they had averred]. NEH 5:13
Rashi’s Commentary
So shall . . . shake out—So shall the Holy One, blessed be he, shake out from the world and from their property those who do not relinquish their debts.
Shake out and emptied—Without property.
12 They went out and preached that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.