The Four Reasons the Sons of Aaron Died

Rabbi Mani of Sheab and Rabbi Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi: For four reasons the sons of Aaron died, and in connection with each of them death is written. Because they entered the Sanctuary having drunk wine, death is written of it, as it is said, "Drink no wine nor strong drink" (Leviticus 10:9). And because they entered without washing their hands and feet, as it is written, "And Aaron and his sons shall wash from it" (Exodus 30:19), and it is written of them, "When they come into the tent of meeting they shall wash with water, that they die not" (Exodus 30:20). And because they lacked the proper garments, and death is written of it, as it is written, "And they shall be upon Aaron and upon his sons when they come in" (Exodus 28:43). And what were they lacking? Rabbi Levi said, they lacked the robe, and death is written of it, as it is written, "And it shall be upon Aaron to minister, and its sound shall be heard" (Exodus 28:35). And because they had no children, and death is written of it, as it is written, "And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD" (Numbers 3:4). Abba Hanan says: Because they had no wives, as we have learned there, "And he shall make atonement for himself and for his house" (Leviticus 16:6) means his wife. Rabbi Levi said they were arrogant. Many women sat waiting for them in sorrow, and what did they say? Our father's brother is king, our mother's brother is prince, our father is high priest, we are two deputies of the priesthood, what woman is fit for us? Rabbi Menahema in the name of Rabbi Joshua bar Nehemiah: Why is it written, "Fire devoured their young men" (Psalms 78:63)? Because "their virgins had no wedding song" (Psalms 78:63). 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 walked in front and Nadab and Abihu walked behind them, and they said, when these two old men die, we will hold authority over the community in their place. Rabbi Judan in the name of Rabbi Ivu said, they said this to one another with their mouths. Rabbi Pinhas said, they thought it in their hearts. Rabbi Berekhiah said, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "Do not boast of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring" (Proverbs 27:1). Many colts have died, and their hides have been spread upon the backs of their mothers. And further from this, "And against the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand" (Exodus 24:11). Rabbi Pinhas said, from here we learn they deserved to have a hand laid upon them. Rabbi Hoshaya said, did eye-salve go up with them to Sinai, that you say "And they beheld God, and ate and drank" (Exodus 24:11)? Rather, this teaches that they fed their eyes upon the Divine Presence as a man who gazes at his fellow while eating and drinking. Rabbi Yohanan said, it was eating enough, as it is written, "In the light of the king's face is life" (Proverbs 16:15). Rabbi Tanhuma said, this teaches that they grew haughty in heart and stood on their feet and fed their eyes upon the Divine Presence. Rabbi Joshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi: Moses did not feed his eyes upon the Divine Presence and so he benefited from the Divine Presence. That he did not feed his eyes upon the Divine Presence, from where? As it is written, "And Moses hid his face" (Exodus 3:6). That he benefited from the Divine Presence, from where? As it is written, "And Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone" (Exodus 34:29). Another interpretation: "And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid" (Exodus 3:6) corresponds to "and they were afraid to come near him" (Exodus 34:30); "to look" (Exodus 3:6) corresponds to "and he beholds the form of the LORD" (Numbers 12:8). Nadab and Abihu fed their eyes upon the Divine Presence and did not benefit from the Divine Presence. And further from this, "And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD" (Numbers 3:4). Rabbi Yohanan said, did they die before the LORD? Rather, this teaches that it is grievous before the Holy One, blessed be He, when the children of the righteous depart in the lifetime of their fathers. Rabbi Nahman of Jaffa asked before Rabbi Pinhas bar Hama in the name of Rabbi Simon: Here you say "before the LORD" (Leviticus 10:2), "before the LORD" (Numbers 3:4), two times, and there you say "in the presence of Aaron their father" (Numbers 3:4), one time. Rather, this teaches that it is twice as grievous before the Holy One, blessed be He, as for their father. "In the wilderness of Sinai" (Numbers 3:4): did they die in the wilderness of Sinai? Rather, this teaches that from Mount Sinai they took their verdict for death. A parable of a king who was marrying off his daughter, and something offensive was found among his groomsmen. The king said, if I kill them now I will spoil my daughter's joy; tomorrow my own celebration comes, and better in my celebration than in my daughter's. So the Holy One, blessed be He, said, if I kill Nadab and Abihu now I will spoil the joy of the Torah; tomorrow my celebration comes, better in my celebration than in the joy of the Torah. This is what is written, "On the day of his wedding" (Song of Songs 3:11), this is Sinai; "and on the day of the gladness of his heart" (Song of Songs 3:11), this is the tent of meeting.