משך חכמה — ויבא משה ואהרן אל אהל מועד

Q — According to the midrash, Aharon entered the אהל מועד distressed that the Shechinah had not descended — but why did MOSHE go in with him?

A — Moshe too was anxious. After chet ha'egel, Israel could not look at his radiant face, but in the Ohel Moed he removed the masveh — and Aharon was able to look at him directly. This could mean either (a) the egel was atoned and Israel's spiritual level was restored, or (b) Moshe himself had LOST his keren-or radiance. When the Shechinah failed to descend (apparently no atonement), Moshe feared option (b). His tefillah was for himself too — when the Shechinah finally appeared, both rejoiced: Aharon at atonement, Moshe at retaining his mealah.