The Four Reasons the Sons of Aaron Died at the Altar

In four places Scripture mentions the death of the sons of Aaron, and it mentions their offense. And why so much? To make known to you that they had no sin in their hands but this one alone. Rabbi Elazar of Modi'in said: Go out and see how grievous is the death of the sons of Aaron before the Holy One, blessed be He, for in every place that He mentions the death of the sons of Aaron, He also mentions their offense. And why so much? So as not to give an opening to the people of the world, that creatures should not say: They had corrupt deeds in secret on account of which they died. Bar Kappara in the name of Rabbi Yirmeyah bar Elazar said: For four things the sons of Aaron died: for the drawing near, and for the offering, and for the strange fire, and because they did not take counsel from one another. "For the drawing near" -- that they entered into the innermost place. "And for the offering" -- that they offered an offering which they had not been commanded. "And for the strange fire" -- they brought in fire from the kitchen-hearth. "And because they did not take counsel from one another" -- Rabbi Chiya taught: "each man his fire-pan" (Leviticus 10:1), each man his own fire-pan, each acting on his own and not taking counsel from one another.