Rashi cites one reason for the death of Aharon’s sons to be their decision to voice halachic rulings in the presence of their teacher, Moshe. The Talmud (Eiruvin 63a) explains that they asserted the halacha about placing wood shavings on the Altar, despite the fire’s miraculous descent from heaven. The Talmud confirms that the act of rendering halachic decisions in front of one’s Rebbe is punishable by death. To illustrate this point, the Talmud quotes a story concerning a student of Rabbi Eliezer who rendered a decision in his Rebbe’s presence. Rabbi Eliezer mentioned to his wife that the student…
