ויקרא, פרק י׳, פסוק ה׳

The sudden and tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu created an immediate crisis within the Tabernacle. Removing their bodies required swift action to restore the purity of the holy site while maintaining the utmost respect for the deceased.

The men who carried the bodies, Mishael and Elzaphan, were Levites, while the tunics worn by the deceased were distinctively priestly garments. The intact state of these tunics highlights the miraculous nature of the event. The primary approach among commentators is that this was no ordinary fire. Instead, a divine fire struck them, acting like lightning or two threads of flame, consuming only their souls while leaving both their bodies and their garments completely untouched [רש״י, רש ר הירש, הדר זקנים]. The tunics were preserved so perfectly that the carriers were actually able to use the fabric to grip, lift, and pull the bodies outside [ביאור שטיינזלץ, משכיל לדוד]. This extraordinary preservation reveals that God protects the dignity of the righteous even in death, ensuring these holy men were not disgraced and could remain in their garments of glory [מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר].

Because Mishael and Elzaphan were Levites and not priests, they were normally forbidden from entering the deepest holy areas. This raises a practical dilemma regarding how they managed to retrieve the bodies. One perspective suggests that an angel pushed Nadab and Abihu out just as they died, moving them to an area where Levites were permitted to enter. Another view argues that they died deep inside, forcing the Levites to cast iron hooks to drag the bodies out without crossing into the restricted zone [הדר זקנים].

Leaving the holy tunics on the bodies also requires explanation. Since the garments had already contracted severe impurity from the corpses, there was no practical reason to undress them while still inside the Tent of Meeting [ספורנו]. It was only after the bodies were taken completely outside the camp that the priestly garments were finally removed, allowing the men to be dressed in standard burial shrouds [פירושי רד צ הופמן].

The Levites carried the bodies all the way outside the camp, following Moses' instructions. Strictly speaking, their primary duty was only to remove the source of impurity from the Tabernacle, after which they could have easily transferred the heavy burden to others. Yet, they chose to carry the bodies the entire distance themselves. This dedicated effort was an act of profound respect for the dead, perfectly completing the true intention behind Moses' command [העמק דבר].