Aaron Forbidden to Mourn and the Silence That Vindicated the Judgment

Sifra, Mekhilta deMiluim II 28

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

28) (Vayikra 10:6): "And Moses said to Aaron and to Elazar and to Ithamar, his sons: Your hair do not grow long … (Vayikra 10:7) and from the door of the tent of meeting do not go out.": From here they ruled: Those who were executed by beth-din are not to be attended upon for any purpose. "and from the door of the tent of meeting do not go out": From here they ruled: If a high-priest lost one of his kin, he does not follow the litter. When they (the members of the funeral cortege) are concealed (from his sight), he may reveal himself. When they are revealed, he must conceal himself. Lest you say: We shall go to our houses and mourn and grieve and wail, has the L–rd not commanded us not to leave the sanctuary? (Vayikra 10:6): "And let your brethren, the entire house of Israel, mourn the burning that the L–rd has burned … (Vayikra 10:7): and they did according to the word of Moses": They vindicated G d's judgment upon them and they were silent.

Themes

MourningPriesthoodDivine Judgment

Biblical References

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Midrash AggadahWhy Uzziel the Uncle of Aaron Pursued Peace Like AaronWhen Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan to carry away their fallen kinsmen, Scripture names them "the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron." But why this title? TMidrash AggadahWhy Moses Forbade Aaron to Mourn Nadab and AbihuWhen fire had gone out from before the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu, Moses turned to his brother Aaron and to his two surviving sons with a hard command: dMidrash AggadahWhy Israel Refused to Believe That Aaron Had DiedWhen Moses and Eleazar descended the mountain alone, Israel pressed them: Where is Aaron? He has already died, Moses answered. But the people would not believe Sifra, Mekhilta deMiluimWhy Elazar and Ithamar Did Not Mourn Their BrothersOn the day the Mishkan was consecrated, fire leapt from before the Holy One and devoured Nadav and Avihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron. The dwelling-place of glMidrash Tanchuma Buber, ShminiAaron's Seven Days of Mourning and God Mourning Before the Flood"And it came to pass on the eighth day." Hear what Scripture whispers beneath these words: "Whoever keeps a commandment will know no evil thing." And who kept sMidrash AggadahWhy Nadab and Abihu Died Before the Lord with Strange FireThe Tent of Meeting was new, the fire from heaven barely cooled upon the altar, when Nadab and Abihu, the eldest sons of Aaron, took up their censers in a singl