129. We learned that when Uriel was seen upon the altar in the likeness of a mighty lion that crouches on its prey, the priests and Yisrael saw and were glad, for they knew that their sacrifice was welcome to the Holy King. Another fire, Holy and supernal, came down FROM ABOVE, WHICH IS THE ANGEL URIEL, against the lower fire KINDLED ON THE ALTAR. The man would then go trembling before his Master and completely repent.
130. This is like a king to whom THE PEOPLE sent a gift which was welcome to him. He said to his servant: Go and take this gift which they brought me. So did the Holy One, blessed be He, say to the angel Uriel: 'Go and take the gift which My children offered Me.' How much joy and sweetness was in everything when the priests, the Levites and he who brought the sacrifice were intent upon sacrificing the offering properly, in complete union.
131. Come and behold: it is written, "And there came out a fire out from before Hashem, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering..." (Vayikra 9:24). THIS FIRE is Uriel, who came down with the appearance of a scorching flame until he rested on the altar to receive the gift, THE SACRIFICE. He looked like a great lion, crouching on the sacrifice.
132. When Yisrael were not found worthy, or when he who brought the sacrifice did not do so properly and his sacrifice was not accepted, they saw the smoke rising unevenly. A certain wind from the hole OF THE KLIPOT on the north came to the altar, and they saw the shape of an impudent dog crouching on the offering. They then knew that the sacrifice was not welcome.
133. This is like a king to whom they sent a gift that was not worthy of being brought before him. The king said: Take away that gift and give it to the dog, because it is not worthy of being brought before me. When the sacrifice is brought and it is not accepted, it is given to the dog. This is why they saw the shape of a dog on the altar.
134. Come and behold: It is written, "And there came a fire out from before Hashem, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering" (Vayikra 9:24). Rabbi Yehuda said: This is Uriel, who looks like a scorching flame upon the altar as he crouches on the sacrifice, as we learned. Then all rejoiced, since it was willingly accepted, as written: "And the glory of Hashem appeared to all the people" (Ibid. 23). Were it not for the confusion brought by THE DEATH OF Aaron's sons ON THAT DAY, there would not have been, since the day they left Egypt, a greater satisfaction above and below.