Page 202 - VAIKRA

The reason for the delay in the descent of the Shechinah was because the # 26347-EYAL-6
sin of the Golden Calf had not entirely been forgiven. Because of the delay
of the Shechinah’s descent, ultimately it led to achieving complete
atonement for the sin. Moshe had labored for eight days erecting the
Mishkan each morning, and Aharon had sacrificed the korbanot, but the
Shechinah had not yet descended. Moshe entered the Mishkan with
Aharon to pray, and during this time all the people repented for fashioning
the Golden Calf. Thus, the anguish of Aharon and the people ultimately
made them worthy of complete forgiveness; thereafter, the Shechinah
descended upon them.

The reason that Moshe taught Aharon the procedure of burning the ketoret
specifically at this time is because it has the ability to save the people from
plagues. When Moshe saw that the Shechinah had not descended on the
Mishkan, he feared that Hashem would strike His close ones in order to
sanctify them. Thus, he taught Aharon the procedure of burning the
ketoret so that they should know how to stop a plague, which might well
ensue.

Moshe and Aharon blessed the people upon exiting the Mishkan,
beseeching Hashem to protect them from a plague, as they said, “May
the Shechinah rest in the work of your hands.” In this way they
succeeded in preparing the remedy for the plague before it actually
struck.