Parashas Eikev · Passuk 9:20 · EXTRA (not a Torah Temimah unit)
Moreover, GOD was angry enough with Aharon to have destroyed him; so I also interceded for Aharon at that time.—
Classical source (not from the Torah Temimah enumeration on this passuk): Shemos Rabbah 37:2.
English: Another matter, “and you, draw…near to you,” they said: When Moshe descended from Sinai and saw Israel engaged in that act,4The sin of the Golden Calf. he looked at Aharon and he was striking it with a hammer. He intended only to delay them until Moshe descended, but Moshe believed that Aharon was a partner with them, and he was upset with him. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moshe, I know how Aharon’s intention was for the best.’ This is analogous to a prince who was arrogant, and he took the chisel to undermine his father’s house. His tutor said to him: ‘Do not exhaust yourself, give it to me and I will undermine it.’ The king looked at him and said to him: ‘I know what your intention was. As you live, I will not place anyone in charge of my palace other than you.’ So too, when Israel said to Aharon: “Rise, craft us a god,” (Exodus 32:1), he said to them: “Remove the rings of gold” (Exodus 32:2). He said to them: ‘I am a priest, I will craft it and I will sacrifice before it.’ But he engaged in it only to delay them until Moshe would come. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Aharon, I know what your intention was. As you live, I will not place anyone in charge of the sacrifices
Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13
The Gemara uses this passuk in a sugya (proof, illustration, or dispute). Named as one of R' Yishmael’s 13 or R' Eliezer’s 32 only when that move is explicit.
When Moshe saw the calf, midrash depicts the confrontation around Aharon; the Torah’s note that Hashem was angry with Aharon is read against that drama of leadership under pressure.