שמות, פרק מ׳, פסוק ט״ו

The inauguration of the priesthood represents a profound shift in spiritual leadership. It marks the exact moment when the priesthood transforms from a personal appointment of specific individuals into an eternal, hereditary institution. Because Aaron's sons were born simply as his children and not as priests, they had to actively undergo a dedication ceremony and be anointed just as their father was. Yet, the process was not identical. Aaron, stepping into the role of High Priest, experienced a separate and unique ceremony distinct from the anointing of his sons, who were becoming regular priests [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The events culminating on the eighth day of the inauguration serve a very specific purpose. Up until that final stage, Aaron and his sons had only been sanctified on a personal level. The ultimate anointing was designed to extend this sacred status to all their future descendants [העמק דבר]. The primary approach among commentators is that this physical ceremony would never need to be repeated for regular priests in the future. From that point forward, the priesthood would pass naturally by inheritance to their children [ביאור שטיינזלץ, קאסוטו]. The physical act of anointing itself was meant to symbolize and sustain their greatness for all eternity [חתם סופר].

However, this promise of an eternal priesthood is not absolute; it depends entirely on their physical wholeness. A subtle connection is drawn between the anointing of the priests and the rules governing animal offerings. Just as animals with physical defects are completely unfit for sacrifice, the priests are held to a similar standard. Their anointing grants them an eternal role only as long as they remain whole and unblemished. If a priest develops a physical blemish, he becomes unacceptable for the sacred service and is disqualified from performing his duties [בעל הטורים].