Questions tagged [kohen-priest]
A patrilineal descendant of the biblical Aaron, a male kohen (plural kohanim) could serve in the Temple in Jerusalem when it was standing; various other laws apply to kohanim also, male and female.
403
questions
4
votes
0
answers
47
views
Angelic wrestling and the intergenerational transmission of rights and priestly duties
In Gen. 32:26, during Ya'aqobh's struggle with a malakh (angel/emissary), he is struck. The Ba'al ha-Turim there offers two explanations for the location that the malakh chose to strike his body. The ...
- 6,482
3
votes
1
answer
191
views
Kohanim hand symbol
When I was a kid I always heard that only kohanim are able to do the 🖖🏻 hand position on both their hands. Leaving the “b-b-but I can do this and I’m not a kohen” comments aside, what’s the deal ...
- 1,812
3
votes
0
answers
61
views
Lying to prevent offense
Is one permitted to lie to a woman by saying that he's a kohen and therefore unable to marry her, thus preventing him from offending/embarrassing her about the reason he refused her? Are there ...
- 41
5
votes
1
answer
104
views
Kohain First Aliya a Requirement?
I daven on Shabbos in a minyan where I am the only kohain and most often there is no Levi. I feel uncomfortable receiving a disproportionate amount of aliyas and feel that it takes away from others. ...
2
votes
1
answer
47
views
Minimum number of Kohanim and Leviim
When the Beit hamikdash (temple in Jerusalem exists), and the sacrifices etc. all happen, is there a minimum number of kohanim and leviim obligated to serve in the temple? If so what, and what is the ...
- 878
0
votes
2
answers
68
views
On the status of Melchizedek as a Kohen [closed]
In Genesis 14:18 it is stated that "And MelchiZedek, king of Shelem, brought out bread and wine and he was a Kohen to the Most High God." A number of questions arise from this: How is it ...
- 1,149
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
Why can't we look at Birkat Kohanim if the Kohanim are covered by a tallit?
The Peninei Halacha writes (here) that:
He should not look at the Kohanim or at anything else, so as not to distract his thoughts from the berachah (Shulchan Aruch 128:23; Mishnah Berurah 89).
The ...
- 10.1k
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Kohanim on Rosh Hashanah [closed]
Is it permissible to have the same kohen have a Torah Aliyah in two different rooms? Is it permissible to have the same kohen duchen in two different rooms?
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
130
views
Why was the Priesthood hereditary?
Can anybody share any sources that discuss the question of why the Priesthood was hereditary? There are plenty of sources that discuss why, specifically, the family of Aaron was chosen for that honor -...
- 1,062
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
kohanim mikvah after bathroom
Rabbi Shlomo Calerbach says kohanim would go to the mikvah after going to the bathroom
And that Rav Yoel the satmar Rebbe also did this
Looking for written sources for both of these ideas
https://...
- 7,466
2
votes
0
answers
36
views
Can a Kohen come in contact with any corpse in order to reach a Meis Mitzvah?
If there is a Meis Mitzvah, and the only way to get to it is by becoming impure by another corpse - not a Meis Mitzvah - is a Kohen allowed to do so?
- 3,197
1
vote
1
answer
649
views
Cheating cohen before a get
If a Cohen cheats on his wife and has sexual encounters with other women beside his wife before giving a get, is he still permitted to duchen and perform duties?
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
Pidyon ha-Ben on multiple occasions? Blessing or not?
I once heard that a certain figure (I believe the GR"A but may be mistaken) made sure to redeem his son from different Kohanim upon meeting them at different junctures in his life. The idea being ...
- 6,482
3
votes
1
answer
107
views
Is there a special blessing for wearing the Bigdei Kehuna?
Would the Kohanim recite a blessing upon wearing the Bigdei Kehunah, and if yes, what was it, and would they recite a blessing for each garment individually, or one for all of them?
- 3,197
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Is there a prohibition for a non-kohen to wear the clothing of a kohen?
Is there any mention of a rule which does not allow a non kohen from wearing the official clothing of a kohen - or kohen gadol?
- 1,103
2
votes
1
answer
348
views
Where King Achashverosh got the priestly vestments
Springboarding off a previous question asked here: Where did King Achashverosh get the clothing of the Kohen Gadol?
The same can be asked about the utensils from the Beis Hamikdash, which were used ...
- 1,103
2
votes
1
answer
86
views
Can a Kohen go on a cruise ship?
I heard that it is very common for people to die on cruise ships. So common that I understand all cruise ships have a crematorium. Since most of the people on cruises are usually old and some of them ...
- 211
8
votes
1
answer
264
views
Tumat met on the London Underground
Apparently part of London's subway network causes problems for kohanim because it is underneath a museum that includes human remains:
Due to the Science Museum and the Underground entrance sharing ...
- 2,361
1
vote
1
answer
186
views
Where is the Halacha about a single available Cohen committing a crime?
There is a Halacha about one unique Cohen remaining in Eretz Yisrael and the consequence were he to commit a crime.
I am seeking the original source as I only have a translation:
If there was only ...
- 111
-1
votes
1
answer
309
views
Why do Ethiopian Jews who practice Haymanot Judaism still have roles like Nabiyy (Prophet) or Kahen or Kes (Priest)? How are they allowed this?
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but since the destruction of the Second Temple, (G-d, blessed be He, forbid), the roles such as that of a Priest/High Priest and the like, were removed and similar ...
- 806
3
votes
4
answers
91
views
Aaron's sons and intoxication
One interpretation of the death of Aaron's sons is they were intoxicated while bringing alien incense offerings. The prohibition of a Kohen being intoxicated is given after this tragic event. My ...
- 1,492
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Moshe taught Aharon the services of the Mishkan
I heard that Moshe Rabeinu taught Aharon Hacohen and his sons how to perform the services of the Mishkan during the first seven days after it's inauguration. Is this correct? If so, where is it ...
- 355
1
vote
1
answer
109
views
firstborn status after the arrival of the moshiach
The Ohr Hachaim (Bamidbar 3,45) says a chiddush that seems to not have any obvious source, that לעתיד לבא (after the arrival of mashiach) the Avoda in the Beis Hamikdash will return to the firstborn! (...
- 353
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Is it possible for there to be Kohanim & Levyim that are not Jewish? [duplicate]
Due to the fact that Jewishness is determined by matrilineal descent and priesthood by patrilineal descent.
- 85
0
votes
1
answer
135
views
Does a child who is adopted by a Kohen inherit Kohen status? [duplicate]
Would such a child (non Jewish) who is adopted and converts inherit any status from his father? Has any posek ruled on this? Is there halacha for this?
- 113
2
votes
0
answers
91
views
Gerusha who marries a Kohen
I’m currently learning the Halachos of Aveilus with a Chavrusah and we discussed the following question if a gerusha who marries a Kohen and he dies, does she sit shiva and observe the mourning period ...
- 1,931
1
vote
0
answers
114
views
Kohanic in vitro Pregnancy
I have the following theoretical questions, from many I’ve met and even a real case of someone very special I met in a hostel in Israel.
My assumptions are between parentheses after the list item.
...
- 325
5
votes
0
answers
82
views
Does treating a cohen's blemish permit him to serve?
The Rambam lists 140 blemishes that invalidate a cohen from serving (Hilchot Biyat Mikdash, perek 8). There are some that appear to be genetic traits that cannot be (easily) treated without extensive ...
- 10.1k
1
vote
0
answers
52
views
Can an elderly Kohen have a relationship with a concubine? [closed]
There is no marriage Min Hatorah. There will be no children.
Rav Yaacov Emden seems to permit this. The reason is that widows are too rare and not easily available, causing other sins
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
80
views
Who was יהואחז כהן גדול?
I encountered יהואחז כהן גדול in Seder Olam Zutta, chapter 5, but couldn't find further information about him. Who was he and are there any sources that give more information (i.e., biographical) ...
- 552
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
What were the geographical locations associated with the names of the 24 families of Kohanim after their civil war and before the Maccabees?
We know that the Kohanim were split into 24 mishmaros. Each was a distinct family, with a distinct family name and location. What were the geographical locations associated with the names of the 24 ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
what were the various locations associated with the names of the 24 divisions in Palestine after they returned from Persia?
I read that the prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi divided the four families that returned from exile in the first and second waves into 24 watches at the rebuilding of the Second Temple. ...
0
votes
1
answer
77
views
Choshen HaMishpat according to Rabbeinu Bechaye
I know that there is a discussion about which were the stones attached to the Choshen HaMishpat. What is the opinion of Rabbeinu Bechaye about this? According to him, which were the stones?
- 355
1
vote
0
answers
38
views
How is it concluded from Yerushalmi Shevi'it 6:1 that Rabbi Yishmael b'Rabbi Yosei was a kohen?
I heard a number of months ago that it can be concluded from Yerushalmi Shevi'it 6:1 that Rabbi Yishmael b'Rabbi Yosei was a kohen (this topic in itself is debated, see a short summary in his Hebrew ...
- 24.9k
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
Did the Levites and Priests Ever Teach the Oral Law? If not, Why not?
I've learned that the basic transmission of the oral law was: Moses > Joshua > Elders > Prophets > Great Assembly > Specific Rabbis
But this seems to run contradictory from what we'd ...
- 10.5k
1
vote
0
answers
87
views
Can a kohen have a child by IVF with a divorce. What is the status of the child?
Is there any workaround avialable for thousands of kohanim who want to have children but are older singles and can't get married because of the high percentage of divorcees in the female population ...
1
vote
1
answer
227
views
If a cohen's wife has an affair with a non-Jew after they are married do they have to get divorced?
I know that someone is considered a zona if they have had forbidden relations including with non-Jews and those in their family but what if this were found to happen whilst they are already married so ...
1
vote
1
answer
134
views
Am I a Kohen if [closed]
If a non-observant Kohen marries a non-observant divorcée, is there a way it would be possible that the sons from this marriage could be kosher Kohenim? What if the last name of this family is Cohen, ...
- 11
4
votes
1
answer
96
views
Are Kohanim of a mishmar REQUIRED to work, or can they opt not to?
Background: Mishna Yevamos 100. The mishna discusses a Kohen of uncertain lineage citing an example of someone who may be the son of two different men, both of whom are Kohanim. We KNOW for certain ...
- 51
3
votes
1
answer
520
views
Kohen marriage after cohabitation?
If a cohen cohabits, lives with publicly and may even have had a child with a jewish woman, born jewish, can they marry afterwards?
What if there is a time in which they are not living together ...
- 325
0
votes
1
answer
171
views
Am I a Kohen if mother's grand father is a Kohen
My mother's father was a kohen but my father is not Jewish, growing up I was never told I was Jewish it was hidden from me and my sister so when my parents got divorced I learned from a rabbi at a ...
1
vote
1
answer
75
views
Kohen Gadol and marriage
We know that a Kohen hedyot may marry a woman who is not a giyoret, gerushah, challalah, or zonah (Lev. 21:8) and that the Kohen Gadol may only marry a betulah (ibid. 13).
Given this, what would ...
- 12.9k
2
votes
1
answer
155
views
Kohanim names. Am I a Kohan [closed]
My last name is Herskowitz. I was told that I am a Kohan. After reading Kohan names are Cohen and Katz. Am I truly a Kohan?
2
votes
0
answers
114
views
What if there were no kohanim?
I don't know if this question was asked before, but:
If, hypothetically, when the Mikdash will be built, somehow it was discovered that all kohanim were genealogically invalidated - chalalim in the ...
- 24.9k
1
vote
0
answers
132
views
What did the sages of blessed memory say about this phrase "sons of the priests"?
1 Chronicles 9:30 And some of the sons of the priests were compounders
of the mixture for the spices.
https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16529/showrashi/true
Ezra 10:18 And it was found of ...
- 43
-3
votes
1
answer
118
views
Only one high priest
In the Holy of Holies, only one high priest could enter, is that correct? Sorry, but then why did Nadab and Abihu they entered together (Lev. 10,1-2)? An explanation for this contradiction?
- 355
3
votes
1
answer
865
views
What is the earliest [illustration] of the kohen gadol
I've seen various illustrations if the kohen gadol that look like this. Sometimes the hat is wider, tzits has different styles, breastplate different sizes etc. I want to know where the "look&...
- 7,675
2
votes
1
answer
173
views
Would the kohen place his hands under a woman's hand when she brought bikkurim?
In Devarim 26 and tractate Bikkurim it describes the bikkurim ritual including the fact that the kohen would place his hands under the hands of the person bringing the bikkurim during the waving of ...
- 13.6k
2
votes
1
answer
170
views
How did Aharon and his sons manage to handle the Mishkan service by themselves?
In later generations, there were hundreds and thousands of kohanim that could potentially assist with the very full schedule of managing the Mishkan/Mikdash on a day-to-day basis. However, in the ...
- 24.9k
1
vote
1
answer
133
views
Which Mishmar did the descendants of Eli Kohen Gadol belong to?
Kohenim serving in the Beit haMikdash were divided into mishmarot. Do we know which one the descendants of Eli Kohen Gadol and his sons were members of?
- 5,020