To Punish the Righteous Is Not Good Even for Heaven

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 26:6

Rabbi Berachiah opened: "Also to punish the righteous is not good" (Proverbs 17:26). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Even though I punished Aaron and took his two sons from him, it is not good -- "also to punish the righteous is not good." Rather, "to strike the noble for their uprightness" (Proverbs 17:26): "after the death of the two sons of Aaron" (Leviticus 16:1).

Themes