Why Nadab and Abihu Died and Feasted Their Eyes on the Shekhinah

R. Mani of Sha'av and R. Joshua of Sikhnin said in the name of R. Levi: For four reasons did the sons of Aaron die, and in connection with all of them death is written. Because they entered while drunk with wine, and it says, "Drink no wine nor strong drink, etc., that you die not" (Leviticus 10:9). And because they entered without washing hands and feet, and it says, "When they come into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not" (Exodus 30:20). And because they entered lacking garments. And what were they lacking? R. Levi said: They were lacking the robe, and death is written concerning it, as it is said, "And it shall be upon Aaron to minister, and its sound shall be heard, etc. [that he die not]" (ibid. 28:35). And because they had no sons, and death is written concerning it, as it is said, "And Nadab and Abihu died, etc., and they had no children" (Numbers 3:4). Abba Hanan says: Because they had no wives, and it is written, "And he shall make atonement for himself and for his household" (Leviticus 16:6). R. Levi said: They were very arrogant, and they would say, "Which woman is fit for us?" Many women sat as deserted ones, waiting for them, while they would say, "Our father's brother is king, our father is High Priest, our mother's brother is prince, and we are deputies of the priesthood—which woman is fit for us?" R. Menahma in the name of R. Joshua bar Hanina [said]: Concerning them it says, "Fire devoured their young men, and their maidens had no marriage song" (Psalms 78:63). Why did "fire devour their young men"? Because of "their maidens who had no marriage song." And further, from this: "And to Moses He said, Come up to the Lord, [you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu]" (Exodus 24:1). This teaches that Moses and Aaron were walking first, and Nadab and Abihu walking after them, and they were saying, "When will these two old men die, so that we may exercise authority over the community in their place?" [R. Judan in the name of] R. Aybu said: With their mouths they said this to one another. R. Pinhas said: In their hearts they pondered it. R. Berekhyah said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "Boast not of tomorrow, etc." (Proverbs 27:1). Many young colts have died, and their hides have been spread out upon their mothers. And further, from this: "And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand" (Exodus 24:11)—from here that they were deserving of the laying on of a hand. R. Hosha'ya said: Did cakes (that is, loaves) go up with them to Sinai, that it says, "And they beheld God, etc." (ibid.)? Rather, they fed their eyes upon the Shekhinah, like a man who gazes at his fellow while eating and drinking. R. Yohanan said: There was actual eating [and drinking], as it is written, "In the light of the king's face is life" (Proverbs 16:15). R. Tanhuma said: It teaches that they made their hearts haughty, and stood upon their feet, and fed their eyes upon the Shekhinah. R. Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of R. Levi said: Moses did not feed his eyes upon the Shekhinah, as it is said, "And Moses hid his face, etc." (Exodus 3:6). And further, from this: "And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord" (Numbers 3:4). And did they die before the Lord? Rather, it teaches that it is grievous before the Omnipresent when the sons of the righteous depart [in their lifetimes].