Korach rebelled against Moses, so G-d was about to destroy the entire Jewish nation with a plague. However, Moses had experience in this field. When he received the Torah on Mount Sinai, he learned how to use incense to stop plagues. Moses told Aaron what to do (Numbers 17:11).

Moses was always superior to his big brother, Aaron. Moses gave orders, and Aaron implemented the activities under his direction. Aaron accepted his lesser status in this and in other cases.

What personality traits did Aaron exhibit?

The Torah depicts Aaron as a superior individual. He was the quintessential counselor, psychologist, middleman and peace maker, who devoted his life to helping others.

Aaron's many qualities did not elevate his inferior relationship with his brother Moses. Moses was the most famous leader in history. He was spared the job of talking to the people because of his speech impediment. Moses did not want to be the leader: "Oh L-rd, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send" (Exodus 4:13). In response, he was told to take Aaron – who "will be glad in his heart" – as his spokesman (ibid 4:14).

And, yes, Aaron was indeed happy to accept the secondary position, under the direction, instruction, leadership, and tutelage of Moses.

Moses received the credit, but Aaron did the work. Did Aaron benefit from his own effort in helping the Israelites? Did he receive a reward for it?

We do not know Aaron's reward in the World to Come, but we can read about his frustrating job on this earth, where we have little evidence that he had a fulfilling job. He was a loser. He was was blamed for things that went wrong.

His children, Nadav and Avihu, died in a fire (Leviticus 10:2) after they offered a "strange fire" before the L-rd (ibid 9:1.

Aaron was blamed for the Golden Calf, even though he created it in good faith. He wanted to pacify the Israelites (Exodus 32:5): "...Better that the transgression be ascribed to me and not to them...If they (themselves) build the altar...the work will be done...(in a short time), whereas if I build it and I tarry in my work...Moses will arrive (in the meantime)" (Rashi, Exodus 32:5).

Yet, he was punished severely for the incident - in which he only wanted to make peace: "Moreover the L-rd was very angry with Aaron because he listened to (the Israelites)... (and therefore G-d) destroyed (Aaron's children)" (Deuteronomy 9:20, including Rashi).

It would be difficult to say that Aaron died a happy man, after spending his entire life making peace among others. However, his efforts were appreciated posthumously:

The men and boys wept after Moses died, "but for Aaron, since he pursued peace, and made peace between man and his neighbor, and between wife and husband, 'All the house of Israel' (Numbers 20:29) - mourned his death (Deuteronomy 34:8).

This self-effacing and self-sacrificing approach of an individual with superior qualities represents The Aaron Principle.

I appreciate the assistance granted by my wise daughter Tehilla,
who located the sources for this page.