Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47
The two gifted sons of Aaron – Nadav and Abihu – in an effort to have a direct spiritual connection with Hashem brought into the holiest of holies where the ark was kept in the Mishkan and here they offered an inappropriate sacrificial fire in their earnestness. Each was consumed by a rush of red flames emerging in between the cherubim on top of the ark and entering their nostrils, and taking their souls. The spiritual quest can’t be rushed. Some say that they had been drinking before they entered the mishkan. Here Aaron sees their death.
