Rabbi Ḥanina said: Let one who is holy come, enter the holy, sacrifice before the Holy, and atone for the holy. Let one who is holy come – this is Aaron, as it is stated: “To Aaron, the holy one of the Lord” (Psalms 106:16). Enter the holy [lekadosh] – this is the Sanctuary, as it is stated: “The Sanctuary [mikdash], my Lord, that Your hands established” (Exodus 15:17). Sacrifice before the Holy – this is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “For I am holy, the Lord” (Leviticus 19:2).
And atone for the holy – these are Israel, as it is stated: “You shall be holy” (Leviticus 19:2). “Take one young bull [and two rams, unblemished]” – Rabbi Pinḥas HaKohen bar Ḥama said: That is what is written: “Telling the outcome from the outset” (Isaiah 46:10). “One [young] bull” – this is Aaron. “And two rams” – these are Elazar and Itamar.
He gave him a hint that two of his sons are destined to die, and only two would serve.23The bull was to atone for Aaron’s role in the sin of the golden calf. The two rams served to sanctify two of Aaron’s sons to serve as priests, despite the fact that he had four sons. This hinted to the fact that two would die.