Boethusian Incense and the Temple

There was once an incident involving a Boethusian who lit the incense while he was still outside the holy of holies, and the cloud of the incense went out [into the sanctuary] and upset everyone present, for the Boethusians say that [the high priest] should light the incense while he is still outside the holy of holies, as is written: [He shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord so that] the cloud of the incense covers [the seat of mercy over the ark of the pact, lest he die] (Leviticus 16:13). But the sages said to them: But is it not written: He shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord—thus, the one placing the incense should do so only within [the holy of holies]. If so, why does the verse say: The cloud of the incense covers? To teach that he should put a brazier [on the coals before entering the holy of holies, but not the incense], and that if he does not put a brazier [on the coals], then he is liable to death.

When [this Boethusian priest] came out, he said to his father, “All your days you have expounded [the ritual in this manner], but you have not performed it so, until I arose and did it.” He said to him, “Even though we have expounded [the ritual in this manner], we do not perform it so; rather, we obey the sages. I would be very surprised if your days are many.” It was only three days later that he lay in his grave.

Translated by Christine Hayes.