Aharon was asked to do one thing – to light the Menorah. It would seem that such a simple task would provoke Aharon to act in response. Perhaps, he might feel that a position as important as his merits a more noble service. After all, he was the Kohen Gadol. Aharon followed his orders to the letter. Chazal laud him for not changing Moshe’s directive at all. It is difficult to sacrifice one’s individuality to the greater cause. Obstinacy has destroyed more than one promising career. The criteria for greatness is the ability to suffer an indignity for the cause, to surrender in order to be ultimately victorious.
Aharon, of course, was following the command of Hashem. All he desired was to fulfill the ratzon Hashem, will of G-d. It is not an easy task, because the yetzer hora makes every attempt to diffuse one’s total abnegation to the mitzvah. He will convince you that this mitzvah needs a few alterations. The yetzer hora cajoles you to “turn up” the zeal and enthusiasm for certain mitzvos at the expense of performing others in an almost lethargic manner. It is all manipulative. The yetzer hora is attempting to induce you to perform mitzvos in the way you decide, not in the manner that is consistent with the command of Hashem. Aharon was consistent. He performed every mitzvah, regardless of its seeming significance or elementary nature, in the same manner as Hashem had commanded him. He displayed no self-interest. He acted only in Hashem’s interest.
