If Aaron's Grandsons Had Sons the Priesthood Would Differ

“…and they had no children. Elazar and Itamar served as priests.” Rabbi Yaakov bar Aivu in the name of Rabbi Aḥa: If they had sons, they would have taken precedence over Elazar and Itamar, as whoever takes precedence for inheritance takes precedence regarding honor, provided that he conducts himself in accordance with the custom of his fathers. “Elazar and Itamar served as priests in the presence of [al penei] Aaron, their father.”

Rabbi Yitzḥak said: During his lifetime; Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: After his death. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yitzḥak, who said during his lifetime, here, it is stated al penei and there it is stated al penei, as it is written: “Haran died al penei Teraḥ his father” (Genesis 11:28). Just as al penei stated there is during his lifetime, so, too, al penei that is stated here is during his lifetime.

According to the opinion of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba, who said after his death, here, it is stated al penei and there it is stated al penei, as it is written: “Abraham rose from al penei his dead” (Genesis 23:3). Just as al penei stated there is after death, so, too, al penei that is stated here is after his death. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yitzḥak, who said during his lifetime, if impurity befell Aaron, Elazar served; if impurity befell Elazar, Itamar served.

There was an incident involving Shimon ben Kimḥit who went out to speak with the king of the Arabs, and a drop of saliva sprayed from his mouth onto his garments and impurified him. Yehuda, his brother, entered and served in his stead in the High Priesthood. That day, their mother saw her two sons as High Priests. The Sages taught: Kimĥit had seven sons, and all of them served in the High Priesthood.

The Sages said to her: ‘What good deeds do you have to your credit?’ She said to them: ‘So help me, in all my days, the beams of my house never saw the hair of my head.’ They said: ‘All flour [kimḥa] is flour [kimḥin], but Kimḥit’s flour [kimḥa] is fine flour.’ They read this verse in her regard: “All the glory of the king’s daughter is within” (Psalms 45:14).

According to the opinion of Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba who said: After his death, when Aaron died, Elazar his son served. When Elazar died, Itamar served. That is why it is stated: “Elazar and Itamar served as priests al penei Aaron, their father.”