Why God Took Aaron's Two Sons After the Golden Calf

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Achrei Mot 5:2

After the death (Leviticus 16:1). Rabbi Berekhyah opened: "Also to punish the righteous is not good" (Proverbs 17:26). Even though I punished Aaron and took his two sons from him, it is not good, but rather "to smite the noble ones for uprightness" (ibid.). This is what is written: "After the death," etc.

Themes

Biblical References