Why Nadav and Avihu Brought Strange Fire to the Holy of Holies

Sifra, Mekhilta deMiluim II 22

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

22) A different view: When the sons of Aaron saw that all the offerings had been sacrificed and all the services performed and that the shechinah had not descended for Israel, Nadav said to Avihu: Now is there such a thing as cooking a meal without fire? — whereupon they took a strong fire and entered the holy of holies, viz. (Tehillim 33:24): "And the sons of Aaron took, each his coal pan, and they put the fire therein" — at which the Holy One Blessed be He said to them: I will honor you more than you have honored Me. You have brought before Me an impure fire; I will burn you with a pure fire.

Themes

Divine PresenceFireTempleDeceptionAdam Eve

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Noam Elimelech (Rebbe Elimelech)The Eternal Light That Never Goes Out"And you shall command the Children of Israel" (Exodus 27:20). Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, in Parashat Tetzaveh, asks a question that cuts to the heart of whatSifra, Mekhilta deMiluimWhen the Shekhinah Wed Israel and Heaven's Fire Fell on the AltarThe sages took a verse meant for lovers and heard in it the marriage of God and Israel. "Go out and gaze," sings the Song, "upon the crown his mother set on himYalkut ShimoniThey Have Built the Shrines of Topheth in the ValleyThey have built the shrines of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom: Our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said that even though all the houses of idolatry weMidrash Tanchuma Buber, VayikraWhy Vine and Olive Wood Are Barred From the Altar FireWhen the verse commands, "And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and they shall lay wood in order upon the fire," the sages asked whichSifrei DevarimRules for Holy of Holies and Lesser OfferingsSifrei Devarim turns to Rules for Holy of Holies and Lesser Offerings. In section 71, we encounter a fascinating discussion about the rules surrounding offeringDa'at TevunotHester Panim and Gilui Panim ExplainedIt all boils down to two fundamental characteristics: hester panim, the "concealment of the countenance," and gilui panim, the "illumination of the countenance.