The Midrash Tanchuma states that the restrictions imposed upon Aharon and his sons in the course of their consecrations were indeed similar to the ritual restrictions for mourners. Moshe told Aharon and his sons, “Observe seven days of mourning even before you need to, and thereby protect Hashem’s charge. For in the same way, Hashem observed seven days of mourning prior to bringing the flood.” This statement refers to Hashem’s waiting seven days before bringing the flood waters. The kohanim were adjured to observe the period of sadness before the tragic event that would take the lives of Nadav and…
