Why Titus Lived and Aaron's Sons Burned in the Holy of Holies

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Achrei Mot 5:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Leviticus 16:1:) AFTER THE DEATH OF AARON'S TWO SONS.] R. Ahawa bar Ze'era said: (Job 37:1:) "AT THIS ALSO MY HEART TREMBLES AND LEAPS FROM ITS PLACE." What is the meaning of "AND LEAPS" (ve-yitter)? It means "jumps," as it says (in Leviticus 11:21): "...WITH WHICH TO LEAP (lintor) UPON THE EARTH," and we translate it (in the Targum) as "to jump." Titus the Wicked entered the Holy of Holies and cut the curtain, and he entered in peace and came out in peace; but the sons of Aaron entered to offer sacrifice and came out burned, as it is written: AFTER THE DEATH OF AARON'S TWO SONS.

Themes

Divine JusticePriesthood

Biblical References

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