This article seeks to answer the question in the title, in light of the strongly worded views of Rambam and Sefer ha'Chinuch. I present my own views with support from R' Moshe Feinstein.
I think you hit the nail on the head. As for the role of the kohanim, I always like to point out that in many ways, it's the opposite of the role of Egyptian priests, who dealt in closely guarded mysteries. In contrast, every single thing that the kohanim were tasked with is spelled out for all to see in the Torah, the world's first Freedom of Information Act. As Shadal put it, Judaism is "una religione senza misteri" -- a religion without mysteries. And as I see it, the sin of Nadav and Avihu was their attempt to come up with their own private ritual that was not part of the publicly revealed routine.
Thanks! The quote is actually from his Letter to Almeda (see p. 268 in the appendix to Shadal on Leviticus). But I think I may have mentioned the quote in a podcast about the Shadal-Benamozegh letters.
I think you hit the nail on the head. As for the role of the kohanim, I always like to point out that in many ways, it's the opposite of the role of Egyptian priests, who dealt in closely guarded mysteries. In contrast, every single thing that the kohanim were tasked with is spelled out for all to see in the Torah, the world's first Freedom of Information Act. As Shadal put it, Judaism is "una religione senza misteri" -- a religion without mysteries. And as I see it, the sin of Nadav and Avihu was their attempt to come up with their own private ritual that was not part of the publicly revealed routine.
Excellent comment! Is that Shadal quotation from his letter to Benamozegh? I feel like I saw it there. But maybe I'm mixing it up with something else.
Interesting theory about Nadav and Avihu!
Thanks! The quote is actually from his Letter to Almeda (see p. 268 in the appendix to Shadal on Leviticus). But I think I may have mentioned the quote in a podcast about the Shadal-Benamozegh letters.
Great post!
Thanks! Now watch in the next installment as I undercut the entire premise of this one! :D