Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Elisheva in the Torah?
A: Elisheva was the wife of Aharon the High Priest, daughter of Amminadav, and sister of Nachshon, a prince of the tribe of Judah (Exodus 6:23). She is known for her righteous lineage and for being the mother of Aharon's four sons: Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Itamar.
Q: Why is Elisheva's family background mentioned in the Torah?
A: The Torah highlights Elisheva's family to show her noble lineage—she came from the tribe of Judah (through her father Amminadav and brother Nachshon) and married into the priestly family of Aharon. This emphasizes the importance of strong, righteous families in Jewish tradition (Rashi on Exodus 6:23).
Q: What can we learn from Elisheva's marriage to Aharon?
A: Elisheva's marriage to Aharon teaches the value of unity among the tribes of Israel—she was from Judah (the royal tribe), and Aharon was from Levi (the priestly tribe). Their union symbolizes harmony between leadership roles in the Jewish people (Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 27).
Q: Why are Elisheva's sons important in the Torah?
A: Elisheva's sons—Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Itamar—played key roles in the priesthood. While Nadav and Avihu tragically died in the Tabernacle (Leviticus 10:1-2), Elazar and Itamar continued the priestly line, showing that even in hardship, G-d's plan for the Jewish people endures (Rambam, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 5:15).
Q: How does Elisheva's story apply to Jewish life today?
A: Elisheva's life reminds us of the importance of family, faith, and legacy in Judaism. Just as she supported Aharon in his sacred duties, Jewish tradition emphasizes the role of righteous women in building strong Jewish homes (Proverbs 31). Her story also teaches resilience, as she endured both the joy of motherhood and the loss of two sons.
Marriage of Aharon and Elisheva
The verse (Shemot 6:23) describes Aharon taking Elisheva, the daughter of Amminadav and sister of Nachshon, as his wife. Rashi notes that this marriage connected Aharon to a distinguished family—Amminadav was a prince of the tribe of Yehudah (Bamidbar 1:7), and Nachshon later became famous for his act of faith in being the first to step into the Yam Suf (Sotah 37a). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 7:5) highlights that this union symbolized the merging of kehunah (priesthood) and malchut (royalty), foreshadowing the future dynasty of David.
The Children of Aharon
Elisheva bore Aharon four sons: Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Itamar. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 52a) discusses the righteousness of these sons, particularly Nadav and Avihu, who were initially great tzaddikim but later tragically perished due to their unauthorized offering (Vayikra 10:1-2). Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 5:7) explains that their deaths served as a lesson about the precision required in divine service.
Symbolism of the Union
The Sforno comments that Aharon’s marriage to Elisheva, from the tribe of Yehudah, represents the unification of leadership roles—kehunah (priesthood) from Levi and malchut (kingship) from Yehudah. This foreshadows the ultimate harmony between these institutions in the Messianic era (Zechariah 6:13). The Kli Yakar adds that Elisheva’s name (אֱלִישֶׁבַע—"My G-d is an oath") reflects the divine covenant embodied in their descendants.