Sons of Zadok

Torah commentators attribute this to Pinchas' later sins (not instructing the masses in the leadup to the Battle of Gibeah, and not relieving Jephthah of his vow).

[4] Rashi comments that since Zadok was the first high priest to serve in Solomon's Temple (as opposed to the mobile tabernacle), and also busied himself with establishing the twenty-four priestly divisions, he merited that the preferred lineage of Eleazar be called by his name, "the sons of Zadok" (as opposed to being titled the sons of Eleazar), and the entire concept of the twenty-four divisions be attributed to him.

[6] Rabbinic commentators understood this general rebellion as referring to that of Jeroboam and the Ten Tribes against the Kingdom of David and the priesthood of Zadok.

[7] As recognition for not participating in idol worship and for actively and publicly sanctifying God's name, the sons of Zadok were granted numerous benefits in the Third Temple.

[9] Asher ben Jehiel likens the public actions of the sons of Zadok to those of the Tribe of Levi at the time of the sin of the Golden Calf.

[10] In describing the uniqueness of the sons of Zadok, Rabbinic commentators liken their ability to reject Idol worship to that of a person with immunity against a plague, thus allowing them to function normally while others succumb to its undesirable results.

[13] Malbim comments that non-Zadokite priests, who submitted to idol worship, are not eligible to Temple service, but they will be allowed to consume terumah and kodesh (sacrificial meat).

[14][verification needed] Ezekiel describes the sons of Zadok as conducting the main sacrificial services in the Third Temple, particularly animal sacrifices ("bring to me fat and blood") and organizing the showbread ("come close to my table").

[16] Rabbinic commentators on Ezekiel 44, such as Jonathan Eybeschutz, Isaac Abrabanel, Malbim, argue that after the coming of the Messiah, all sons of Zadok will have the status of "semi" high priests.

[17][verification needed] One commonality between the High Priest and the Sons of Zadok appears in the listing of family members for whom they may or may not become defiled.

[28] This explanation is echoed by the Malbim, Jonathan Eibshitz, and other commentators who see the future status of the sons of Zadok in a Third Temple as quasi-high priests.

Similarly, others explain that since the sons of Zadok are ordered by Ezekiel to be active in the Torah instruction of the Kohanim, the need to have a positive public image is crucial and marrying a widow may cause gossip and rumor that the Zadokite priest had transgressed forbidden relationships in Judaism.

[40] Zadok HaKohen writes that the observance of Shabbat by the priests, who are otherwise sustained by the twenty-four kohanic gifts rather than working, causes a surplus of kedusha to the entire nation of Israel and protects them from submitting to evil impulses.

[41] Due to the sons of Zadok performing the sacrificial services of the Third Temple, a specified chamber is apportioned to them as per the architectural detail laid out by Ezekiel.

He describes the character traits of the Kohanim sons of Zadok as such: Any Kohen complete in his ways, exceptional is his path, and straight in his actions, who rises and lingers in the Beit Knessets and Beit medrashs and guards himself from every evil thing and every impure thing – this is from the sons of Zadok the Kohen ... and is fit that Ruach HaKodesh should rest on him.

[53] These beliefs may include the reinstatement of animal sacrifices,[54] and the reestablishment of a Zadokite priesthood: The sons of Zadok are privileged to come near to the Lord to minister to Him.

In the kingdom age, the descendants of Zadok become the personal ministers to Jesus the Messiah and His prince ...[55]This verse also compares Revelation 1:4–5, 5:9–10 stating that all who are saved by His blood, also are made priest unto God the Father.

Shmuel HaNagid alluded to the loyalty of the sons of Zadok in his poem: A benevolent, Crassness she does not speak And does not heave shame on her parents