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There were two acts of anointments involving the Kohanim. The first anointing consecrated the Kohanim in general and gave them access to Kehunah. The second anointing was specifically for Aharon and for every Kohen Hedyot who subsequently ascended to Kehunah Gedolah. The first anointing for the Kohanim was a singular occurrence whose effect lasted forever. The anointment of the Kohen Gadol, however, was valid only for Aharon himself. Hence, each successive Kohen Gadol was to be anointed as he advanced to his new position. What is the difference between these two consecrations? Why did the anointing for Kehunah Gedolah not…

There were two different types of anointment: one for Aharon and his sons which inducted them into the kehunah, priesthood, and one which was only for Aharon, which elevated him to the Kehunah Gedolah. The first anointing, which included Aharon and his sons, was eternal insofar as it was performed once and was sufficient to consecrate the status of kehunah for posterity. The second anointing, however, served to sanctify only Aharon for the Kehunah Gedolah. His sons, however, and all future Kohanim Gedolim were required to undergo another anointing. Horav Mordechai Gimpel Yoffe, z.l., explains the reason for the distinction…