Page 198 - VAIKRA

According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, tzaddikim sin with the
intention of descending from their lofty level. Through their subsequent
teshuvah, they also elevate other errant souls. They extend themselves for
“Moshe and Aharon came to the Tent of
Meeting and they went out and they blessed the the people because all Jews are responsible for each other.
people – and the glory of Hashem appeared to We may also suggest that Aharon’s sons sought to descend from their lofty
the entire people!” level intentionally, in order to elevate the neshamot of Am Yisrael by
making them realize that there is a Judge Who implements justice. Since
(Vayikra 9:23)
Hashem did not punish them for the transgressions listed above, we can
infer that they were not considered sins at all.

The pasuk says, “And Aharon fell silent.” Aharon recognized that this was
the will of his sons. Since he knew that they were outstandingly righteous,
he remained silent. He was rewarded for his silence by being informed by
Hashem individually concerning the laws of refraining from alcohol
consumption while serving in the Mishkan. Why were these laws not
transmitted through Moshe before the Chanukat Hamishkan? It seems that
Hashem did not want Nadav and Avihu’s drunkenness upon entering the
Mishkan to be considered an explicit transgression. The descent of
Aharon’s sons from their lofty level elevated the people greatly, to the
extent that they merited learning a new parashah as a result.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev comments on the pasuk in Shir
Hashirim: “The scent of your goodly oils are pleasant even upon being
reduced; likewise is your good name,” that even if a tzaddik, who is
compared to aromatic oil, descends from his lofty level, his “pleasant
smell” is still evident because of his good deeds. The mention of the death
of Aharon’s sons on Yom Kippur is proof of their outstanding
righteousness. # 26347-EYAL-6