True shame leads to joy not sadness

ברש"י שהיה אהרן בוש א"ל קרב כו'.

In Rashi: that Aharon was ashamed (afraid to approach the altar), and Moshe said to him: "Draw near," etc.

Rashi relates that Aharon hesitated out of shame to approach the mizbei'ach, and Moshe had to urge him forward.

ויש ללמוד שכך צריך להיות אדם בוש מצד עצמו.

And one can learn from this that so should a person be — ashamed by his own measure.

Aharon's bushah teaches a model: in his own eyes a person should feel a genuine sense of unworthiness.

ואעפ"כ יתקרב אל המצוה מכח ציווי של השי"ת שלכך נבחר.

And nevertheless he should draw near to the mitzvah by the power of Hashem's command, for which he was chosen.

Despite that humble shame, one must still step forward to perform the mitzvah — not on the strength of self-worth, but because Hashem commanded and chose him for it.

כי בוודאי בושה זו הי' כראוי.

For certainly this shame was fitting.

Aharon's hesitation was not a flaw; it was an appropriate, proper response.

כי אהרן הי' צדיק ולא הי' בו חסרון מדה.

For Aharon was a tzaddik and had no deficiency of character.

His shame did not stem from any actual fault — Aharon was a perfect tzaddik; rather it flowed from true humility.

אך גם זה דבר גדול שע"י שאמר לו קרב כתיב מיד ויקרב כו'.

But this too is a great thing — that when Moshe said to him "Draw near," it is written immediately, "and he drew near," etc.

Equally praiseworthy is that the moment Moshe conveyed Hashem's word, Aharon at once came forward without further delay.

זה סימן שהי' בושה של אמת.

This is a sign that it was a shame of truth.

His instant response proves his shame was authentic: a true bushah yields the moment Hashem's will is made known, rather than becoming an excuse for inaction.

וכלל הדברים כי בושה ודאגה של אמת אינו מביא לידי עצבות ואינו מביא לשום מניעה בעבודת ה'.

And the sum of the matter is that true shame and concern do not lead to sadness (atzvus), nor do they bring about any hindrance in the service of Hashem.

Genuine humility and self-concern never collapse into depression or paralysis; they do not block one's avodas Hashem.

ועוד מביא אח"כ שמחה כמ"ש שמחתי מתוך יראתי ויראתי מתוך שמחתי כו':

And furthermore it afterward brings joy, as it is said: "I rejoiced from within my fear, and I feared from within my joy," etc.

True yirah and simchah are intertwined: authentic awe ultimately gives rise to joy, and the two reinforce one another rather than standing in opposition.

Summary: Aharon's shame before approaching the mizbei'ach models the proper posture — a person should feel humble unworthiness yet still draw near to the mitzvah on the strength of Hashem's command. The sign of true bushah is that it yields instantly when Hashem's will is known; genuine shame and concern never lead to sadness or paralysis in avodas Hashem, but ultimately give rise to joy, for yirah and simchah flow from one another.