Aaron had other sons who deserved to be burned like Nadab and Abihu, as it is written, "... the sons of Aaron who were left" (Leviticus 10::11), but the merit of their father protected them (Yoma 87a).

Moses ordained for Israel eight priestly watches: four comprised of descendants of Eleazar and four comprised of descendants of Ithamar (Ta’anit 27a).

What was the order of learning? Moses learned directly from God. Aaron entered and Moses taught him his lesson. Aaron’s sons entered and Moses taught them. The sons went up; Eleazar seated himself to the right of Moses, Ithamar to the left of Aaron (Eruvin 54b).

Is it not one of the strange ironies of the universe that the smallest points of contention often evoke the most severe reactions? No story depicts this anomaly better than the tragedy of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who are snuffed out by Divinity for daring to offer an "alien fire" during the consecration of the Tabernacle. The Midrash attempts a Jewish rationale for the extremity of their punishment, but it is not satisfying, even if the bereaved Aaron "holds his peace." Now, what about the "sons who were left" (Lev.10:11)? If the dispute over the offering by Nadab and Abihu seemed like "much ado about nothing," the textual explication of Eleazar and Ithamar’s bungling of the "sin offering" seems even more trivial.

How did these two survive the wrath of an angry God? Seemingly, by luck of the draw. That is, the Lord had already unleashed his fury on the unsuspecting duo of Nadab and Abihu. The newest transgression committed by Eleazar and Ithamar takes place immediately following the family tragedy. If Aaron’s remaining sons had also been cauterized, no rabbinic explanation would have been forthcoming. But there is chastisement from Moses, who wonders aloud how these errant children could have disobeyed the rules regarding the burning and eating of the sin offering. Eleazar and Ithamar have no response. However, their father finally rises to their defense, taking the responsibility for their actions as part of his role as the High Priest. Fortunately, Moses, God’s agent, relents.

Not a fortuitous beginning. Yet Eleazar served as High Priest after his father’s death. He helped Moses conclude the census of the people on the plains of Moab, and aided Joshua in the division of the Holy Land. The priestly family of Zadok traced its descent from Eleazar, who was regarded as the ancestor of 16 of the 24 priestly houses. Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron, succeeded Eleazar as the High Priest. He was responsible for the duties of the Levites in the wilderness and supervised the Gershonites and Merarites, who helped construct and maintain the Tent of Meeting. The house of Eli traced its descent to him. There was honor at last for the marked sons of Aaron.