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The reason for the delay in the descent of the Shechinah was because the
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.
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There was no joy that surpassed the intense joy at the Chanukat
Hamishkan. On that day, Am Yisrael saw that the sin of the Golden Calf
had been completely forgiven, and Hashem was no longer angry at them.
Their joy was boundless, since Hashem informed them that from then on,
even if they would sin, He would not remove His Shechinah from them.
Instead He would punish them to atone for their sin. In this way, Hashem
would be able to continue resting His Shechinah among them forever.
When Aharon’s sons died precisely on that day, Am Yisrael realized that
Hashem truly would not remove His Shechinah from them again. As proof
of this, when Aharon’s sons transgressed, He did not remove His
Shechinah from their midst, but instead, took their lives.
The pasuk “Serve Hashem with gladness, come before Him with joyous
song” describes the sentiments on the day of the Chanukat Hamishkan.
There was fervent rejoicing when a Heavenly fire descended from Heaven
and consumed the korbanot of Am Yisrael.
Why specifically on this day did Hashem curtail the joyous celebration
through the death of Aharon’s two sons? The reason for this is implied in
the words “I will be sanctified through those who are close to Me.”
Hashem established that He would remain among Bnei Yisrael even when
they sin. However, in order to pacify the accusations against them, He
would have to take retribution from those who sin, as in the death of
Aharon’s sons.
Thereafter, it says, “And Aharon was silent.” This indicates that Aharon
understood Hashem’s message, which He wished to impart to His nation.
Therefore, he accepted it silently, which is the equivalent to agreement.