ויאמר משה אל העדה זה הדבר אשר צוה ה’ לעשות (צו ח:ה)

When the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk zt”l became renowned for his greatness and began to attract many chassidim, his brother, the Rebbe Reb Zusha zt”l, wished to serve as his shamash. However, Reb Elimelech declined.

Reb Zusha said to him, “Dear brother, we find by Moshe Rabbeinu that he served as a shamash for his brother Aharon and his sons—he washed them and dressed them, as it says: ‘ויקרב משהאת אהרן ואת בניו וירחץ אותם במים, ויתן עליו את הכתונת…’ Even though Moshe was a king, and Chazal teach that a king may not forgo his honor—since his honor reflects that of the nation—still, it is an honor for the nation when he serves in such a way.”

Reb Elimelech responded, “Precisely for this reason, before Moshe Rabbeinu served them, it states: ‘ויאמר משה אל העדה זה הדבר אשר צוה ה׳’—Moshe first informed the people that this was a special command from Hashem for him to serve the Kohanim. Without such a command, he would not have been permitted to do so.”