Elisheba's Four Joys Turned to Mourning at Sinai

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Achrei Mot 2:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation: "Of laughter I said: It is mad" (Ecclesiastes 2:2). Rabbi Pinchas said: How confused is the laughter, that the Attribute of Justice laughed over Elisheba bat Amminadab, who saw four joys in one day. She saw her brother-in-law a king, and her husband a High Priest, and her brother a prince, and her two sons deputy priests. As soon as they entered to offer a sacrifice, they came out burned, and her joy was turned to mourning. This is what is written: "And the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons" (Leviticus 16:1).

Themes

Divine JusticePriesthood

Biblical References

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