However, the priest's religious authority is not automatic: even a mamzer who is a scholar takes precedence over an ignorant Kohen Gadol.
One opinion is that due to receiving terumah the kohanim did not need to engage in business and therefore had the mind to devote to Torah study and instruction.
Aaron, as the spiritual leader of the Israelites during their bondage in Egypt, and likewise after the arrival of Moses and their ultimate redemption, was known to the nation as its instructor, a man of kindness, and as a peacemaker amongst arguing parties.
[citation needed] Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains this responsibility as not being the exclusive Torah instructors, but working in tandem with the rabbinic leaders of the era,[28] while other rabbinic greats – notably the Chasam Sofer and Maharitz Chayes[citation needed] – acknowledged a unique assignment of torah instruction to the descendants of Aaron.
In the Zohar the ideal kohen is described as the epitome of the knowledgeable man and as being reliable in activities involving Kedusha (holiness).
[31] In the expunges of the Zohar it recorded that the placing of the blood from the first sacrifice (in Hebrew: ail ha"miluim") offered in the Mishkan as placed on Ahron and his son's right ear cartilage had an eternal effect that their ear be receptive in internalizing Torahic concepts, and to have the ability to intertwine the written and Oral Torah's into one entity.
[31] The Kabbalistic work Raziel HaMalach describes the kohen as teaching Torah to the people and due to participation of the masses a divine blessing for material sustenance is given.
[33] Chabad literature delivers an in depth view of the unique divine character traits of the tribe of Levi in general and of the priests in particular.
[36] He also explained the Temple menorah lighting and incense offering of the priests as symbolic of the ability of the priests to produce joy and pleasure in the "attribute of wisdom" ("מדת החכמה"), which brings the Jewish nation an increase in material sustenance[37] - even in times of exile when the Temple service is not being performed.