Why Aaron Saw His Sons Serve as High Priests After Him

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Tzav 13:1

[(Leviticus 8:2:) TAKE AARON AND HIS SONS.] This is what Scripture says (Proverbs 20:7): "The righteous one walks in his integrity; blessed are his children after him." This refers to Aaron and his children. If <the matter is determined> by this saying, then Moses too was righteous, yet his children were not like him; and Eli too was righteous, yet his children were not like him; and Samuel was righteous, yet his children were not like him, for (I Samuel 8:3) "his sons did not walk in his ways, etc." Why, then, do you say "The righteous one walks in his integrity"? Because he saw his children after him, in his lifetime, ministering in the High Priesthood. Therefore (Leviticus 8:2): "Take Aaron and his sons with him."

Themes

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