Why Fire Devoured Aaron's Sons Who Spurned Marriage

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Achrei Mot 13:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

R. Aha said: From where did they receive what was theirs (their due punishment)? It was simply that they did not occupy themselves with being fruitful and multiplying. They were saying: We are buds of the high priesthood, so should we take wives who are not worthy of us? R. Aha said (in the words of Ps. 78:63): "FIRE DEVOURED THEIR YOUNG MEN." Why? Because (ibid.) "THEIR MAIDENS HAD NO NUPTIAL SONG."

Themes

PriesthoodFireMusicAdam EveDavid

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Sifrei DevarimWhy the Desert of Kadesh Trembles Twice in PsalmsA storm raging, the earth trembling... It's a primal feeling, isn't it? The Psalmist certainly understood it. Psalm 29 paints a vivid picture of G-d's voice thuMidrash Tanchuma Buber, ChukatThe Sevenfold Sevens of the Red Heifer in Tanchuma ChukatThe verse sings, "refined sevenfold" (Psalms 12:7), and Rabbi Hanan bar Pazzi bent his ear toward the parashah of the Red Heifer. Listen, he says, and you will Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelThen I Shall Make for You a Place [Even NowThe Torah promises that God will provide "a place where he shall flee" for a person who kills accidentally (Exodus 21:13). This is the institution of the city oMidrash AggadahTake Aaron - Chosen and Brought Near to Halt the PlagueScripture sings, "Happy is the one You choose and bring near" (Psalms 65:5). Some the Holy One chose yet let draw near on their own. Abraham was chosen but brouSifra, Mekhilta deMiluimWhy Aaron and Each Vessel Were Anointed in Different WaysWhen the oil was poured out upon the new sanctuary, the sages noticed that not every holy thing was consecrated in the same manner, and from that difference theSifra, Mekhilta deMiluimHow Aaron and His Sons Mastered Seven Sacred Rites in a Single DayOn the day the Mishkan was raised and the priesthood began, a great wonder hid inside an ordinary verse. Aaron took the ox and the ram, the peace-offerings that