King Scholar-Saintly Scholar

Rabbi Soloveitchik makes an interesting observation about Moshe and Aharon and how they communicated with the people.

Moshe represented the king-scholar and Aharon the saintly-scholar. He included the Rambam, the Vilna Gaon, and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik as examples of king scholars. They reached the people by way of the intellect on a very deep level.

Aharon on the other hand, as the saintly scholar reached the people by way of the soul and emotion. He was able to connect with the masses who were able to relate on the soul level.

Am Yisrael needs both approaches as some gravitate towards one method rather than the other.

In some ways, this also clarifies the difference between the Mitnagdim, who were more intellectual, and the Chassidim, who experienced Judaism with a great deal of emotion.