If the 250 men who brought Ketores were in error ( as seen by their subsequent death ) why does Hashem not command that the shovels they used be destroyed ?
The Alshich tells us that the answers lies in a clear understanding of a complex subject : dedication to Hashem.
At the extremes, dedication is simple - either you are completely dedicated, submitting yourself entirely to the cause, or you are completely undedicated - uncaring and apathetic. The complexity lies somewhere in the middle - can you be dedicated to a cause but too hung up on your own prejudices to leave behind your own agenda ? Yes, you can be.
The incense shovels used represented exactly this type of dedication to Hashem. They were well intentioned - they sought only to serve Hashem and His glory - but they couldn't get past their own hang ups ( namely, that they should be doing the serving and not Aharon HaKohen ).
Yes, the intentions were noble - that is why we see that the shovels get preserved as part of the mizbeach itself! No, their action was not free of sin - that is why they are forever known as the shovels of those men who sinned ( see Bamidbar 17:3-5 ).
And what about us ?
This lesson is instructive to us in two ways :
1. We should always recognize the good and holy intentions in others - even if they come with baggage.
2. We should be ever vigilant of our own actions - we should never be satisfied with just performing a mitzva, we should scrutinize our motives until we can be sure that we are not bringing any impurity and personal gain into the equation.
Hatzlacha !!
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