Aaron's Rod Blossomed but His Sons Came Out Burned

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 26:5

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Rabbi Achva son of Rabbi Ze'ira opened: "At this also my heart trembles and leaps from its place" (Job 37:1). What is "leaps" (yittar)? It springs, as in the expression "to leap upon them" (Leviticus 11:21), which we translate "to spring upon them." Job said: Were not the sons of Aaron unlike his rod? Aaron's rod went in dry and came out moist and put forth a blossom, as it is written, "and it brought forth a blossom and bloomed blossoms" (Numbers 17:23). The wicked Titus entered the Holy of Holies and slashed the two curtains and came out in peace, yet the sons of Aaron entered to offer and came out burned, as it is written, "after the death of the two sons of Aaron" (Leviticus 16:1).

Themes

Divine JusticePriesthoodTemple

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