Shmini: Verse 35
On that day, the upper and lower beings reached their perfection and there was peace everywhere, a joy above and below. If not for the event of the sons of Aaron on that day, there would have been no such joy above and below from the day that Yisrael came up from the sea. On that day, the sin OF THE GOLDEN CALF was wiped out from the world and the priests and the children of Yisrael were cleansed of it. On that day, all the Accusers above departed, they circled around Yisrael, and found nothing they could accuse them for.
Shmini: Verse 36
This was until the hour arrived when Nadab and Abihu rose up and spoiled the general joy, so that wrath descended on the world, as it is written: "And the glory of Hashem appeared to all the people" (Vayikra 9:23). Then at once, "the sons of Aaron took each of them his censer" (Vayikra 10:1).
Shmini: Verse 37
We have learned that on this day it was the joy of the Congregation of Yisrael, WHICH IS MALCHUT, to be united by the bond of Faith with all holy ties, NAMELY, ALL THE SFIROT OF ZEIR ANPIN, for incense binds (Heb. mekasheret) all together as one. Therefore, its name is Ketoret, and NADAB AND ABIHU came and linked all others FROM THE OTHER SIDE together and left Her, MALCHUT, outside, for they did not link Her with THE SFIROT OF ZEIR ANPIN. They linked up something else INSTEAD OF MALCHUT. Therefore, He warned the priests, as it is written: "Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place" (Vayikra 16:3), MEANING THAT HE SHOULD LINK MALCHUT, WHICH IS CALLED 'THUS.'
Shmini: Verse 38
(A) In many ways, they spoiled the joy of the Congregation of Yisrael. They did not marry a woman, for they were not worthy of an offering and the worlds were not blessed by them. Also, the time was not proper FOR OFFERING THE INCENSE, FOR IT WAS NOT IN THE TIME OF LIGHTING THE CANDLES; and they also hurried the time OF INHERITING THE PRIESTHOOD WHILE THEIR FATHER WAS STILL ALIVE. Even before THEY OFFERED THE INCENSE, they were doomed, AS IS WRITTEN: "And offered strange fire before Hashem" (Vayikra 10:1). Another thing, MEANING THE OTHER SIDE, was linked up by that tie, and they left the Congregation of Yisrael, WHICH IS MALCHUT, outside.
38. (B) Rabbi Pinchas said to him: Do not say that they made Her dwell outside, but that the Congregation of Yisrael was not linked through them WITH ZEIR ANPIN, for the Congregation of Yisrael does not rest at all upon a place where there are no Male and Female. Therefore, He warned the priests, as it is written: "Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place," MEANING that there is a Male and a Female, OTHERWISE "THUS," WHICH IS MALCHUT, WILL NOT REST UPON IT. Therefore, a priest must not enter the sanctuary until he is married in order that he may have a share in the union of the Congregation of Yisrael. For he who does not marry leaves the Congregation of Yisrael outside, and She does unite with him. Therefore they were in tumult on that day
Shmini: Verse 39
"And it came to pass on the eighth day." Rabbi Yosi opened the discussion, saying: "Like the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (Shir Hashirim 2:2). "Like the lily among thorns" is the Congregation of Yisrael. It was explained that the Holy One, blessed be He, praises the Congregation of Yisrael and His love is for Her, to cleave to her. Therefore, he who marries a woman should praise the Holy One, blessed be He, and the Congregation of Yisrael, for we have learned that one should fulfill any COMMANDMENT WITH LOVE, as one who cleaves to his spouse and devotes his affection to her. When he comes to serve before the Holy One, blessed be He, he awakens another SUPERNAL coupling - that of the Holy One, blessed be He - for He desires to cleave to the Congregation of Yisrael. He blesses him for this and the Congregation of Yisrael blesses him, as we already have learned.
