EXOD87 Hillel and Shammai received the tradition from them [Sh'mayah and Avtalyon]. Hillel said: Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and drawing them near to Torah. Pirkei Avot, Perek I mIshnah 12. With Aaron this too (i.e., loving people and drawing them near to Torah) was reflected in concrete human relations. If, for example, he knew of an Israelite who did not fully observe the Sabbath, Aaron would befriend him and visit him frequently. Soon the man would say to himself, "When such a great personage as Aaron the Cohen gadol is my friend, how can I violate the Sabbath?" Out of sheer shame and regard for his friend the man would repent and change his ways. (Avoth d'Rabbi Nathan, A12, B24). This was the way of Aaron – the way of love. He did not preach. He did not condemn. Aaron merely enveloped people with love and friendship. In responding to the warmth of his personality, human beings came closer to Torah. We cannot all become Aarons. But at least, urges Hillel, let us become disciples of Aaron. Let us attempt to learn his ways and emulate his approach. Obviously Aaron was able to make peace among others because he was at peace with himself. There was within him none of the seething envy, petty ambition or inflated deceit which drives others to eternal discontent and inner strife. Aaron was older than his brother Moses. During the years of servitude in Egypt Aaron had been the leader and prophet of his people. One might expect that Aaron would receive the news of Moses' election as redeemer and liberator with a measure of jealousy and resentment. Yet, the Almighty told Moses, "He will see you and he will rejoice in his heart." [this verse] Aaron loved humankind: his younger brother was also a human being; his people were also humanity. Aaron was at peace with himself and therefore at peace with the world. The achievement of this inner peace of mind, of abiding composure, is not easy. There are many people who permit themselves to become upset about the smallest thing: another's success, a business set-back, a spell of bad weather. These can become upsetting if they are permitted to loom as significant or absolutely important. Once we fix our concern on the really important things in life, our relationship to God and His Torah, all else becomes relative and can be taken in stride. First let us achieve "love of peace" in our own make-up; then can we become "pursuers of peace" for the world.