Eleazar, Ithamar, and the Seven High Priests of Kimhit

"And Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the presence of (al-penei) Aaron their father" (Numbers 3:4). Rabbi Isaac said: during his lifetime; and Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said: at his death. According to the opinion of Rabbi Isaac, who said "during his lifetime": "al-penei" is stated here, and "penei" is stated elsewhere—"And Haran died in the presence of (al-penei) Terah his father" (Genesis 11:28). Just as "penei" stated there means during his lifetime, so too "penei" stated here means during his lifetime. And according to the opinion of Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba, who said "at his death": "penei" is stated here, and "penei" is stated elsewhere—"And Abraham arose from before (me-al penei) his dead" (Genesis 23:3). Just as "penei" stated there means at his death, so too "penei" stated here means at his death. And according to the opinion of Rabbi Isaac, who said "during his lifetime": if uncleanness befell Aaron, Eleazar served; if uncleanness befell Eleazar, Ithamar served. It happened with Simeon ben Kimhit that he went out to speak with the king of the Arabians, and a spurt of saliva splashed from his mouth onto his garments and rendered him unclean; and Judah his brother entered and served in his place in the high priesthood. On that day Kimhit saw two of her sons as high priests. They said: Kimhit had seven sons, and all of them served in the high priesthood. The sages came in to her and said to her: Tell us, what good deeds are in your hand? She said to them: By the Temple service! The beams of my house have never seen the hairs of my head. They said: All flours (kimhayya) are flour (kimhin), but the flour of Kimhit is fine flour. They read concerning her this verse: "All glorious is the king's daughter within; [her clothing is of gold brocade]" (Psalms 45:14).