The initiation of Aaron's sons marks the historical founding of the regular priesthood, setting a permanent standard for future generations while establishing a clear boundary between them and the High Priest. This defining event took place during the second year following the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, coinciding with the establishment of the Tabernacle [רלב״ג].
The physical initiation involves bringing the sons close to the sacred space, specifically to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting [אבן עזרא] and into the courtyard of the Tabernacle [רלב״ג]. The process mirrors the initiation of their father, requiring them to be washed with water before proceeding [אבן עזרא].
The act of dressing the sons in their designated tunics carries profound legal and spiritual weight. These garments officially grant them the priesthood as an eternal institution. Unlike the role of the High Priest, which requires a personal anointing for every new leader, the descendants of these regular priests are born into their status and do not undergo a renewed initiation ceremony. Furthermore, their active priesthood remains entirely dependent on these specific clothes. If the priests attempt to perform their duties without wearing their tunics, they are treated as outsiders and are completely disqualified from the holy service [רלב״ג].
The relationship between dressing the sons in these garments and the act of anointing them with oil presents contrasting viewpoints. One perspective suggests a direct link, proposing that just as the High Priest requires anointing, the dressing of the sons was also paired with anointing them [קיצור בעל הטורים]. Another approach emphasizes a fundamental distinction between the father and his sons. While Aaron was anointed with oil throughout the seven days of the inauguration, the sons undergo a different process. Their sanctification was achieved primarily through a sprinkling procedure rather than the full pouring of the anointing oil, an honor reserved exclusively for the High Priest [העמק דבר].