Kohanim

Found 27 Search results

1. Sanctity and Service

   Rabbi Meir Spiegelman

   What is the significance of the differences between the garments worn by the regular Cohen and the clothing adorned by the High Priest? What exactly is the job of the regular priest? Is he permitted to work inside the Mishkan? The plain meaning of the text seems to indicate that the regular Cohen is prohibited from working inside the Mishkan; why then did they work there nonetheless?

2. The Priests of Egypt and the Kohanim of Israel

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   This article discusses Yosef's policy in preparation for the settlement of his family in Goshen, and the distinction between the priests of Egypt and the kohanim of Israel

3. The Mishkan and Its Kohanim - The Earthly Reflection of The Heavenly Revelation

   Rabbi Reuven Taragin

   The description of the Mishkan’s structure in Parashat Teruma parallels Har Sinai, and expresses the idea that the foundation of the Mishkan was derived from the divine revelation, and not human decisions. The work of the kohanim adds vitality to the house of God, and represents the human perception of God’s presence. In this way, the Mishkan expresses the divine revelation in a form that can be understood by people.

4. "When You Kindle the Lamps"

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   Why is the Menorah discussed on three different occasions in the Torah? What is the significance of the Menorah in the context of its appearance in Bemidbar? An analysis of the appearances of the Menorah and the oil throughout the Torah demonstrates that the lighting of the Menorah holds special significance, symbolic of the relationship between the nation of Israel and the Mishkan - a relationship that is expressed in the book of Bemidbar as well.

5. The Fall of Yericho

   Rabbi Michael Hattin

   This lesson considers the strategy employed for Yericho's capture, and the extremely harsh 'ban' proclaimed by Yehoshua against its spoils. The story of Yericho is Israel's first encounter on the battlefield with the Canaanites. After circling the stout ramparts of Yericho for seven consecutive days, the walls of the city came crashing down. We will discuss the encirclement of the city, the motif of the number seven throughout the bible, and its application in the conquest of Yericho. 

6. "At That Time Hashem Distinguished the Tribe of Levi"

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   The selection of the Leviim includes two aspects: Secondary assistance to the primary servers of God – the Kohanim - and primary servers of God on the basis of their actions at the sin of the Golden Calf. The second aspect is prominent in the description of the Leviim in the Book of Devarim, despite the fact that it has no practical implication.

7. A Deeper Look At The Priestly Role

   Rabbi David Block |

   Why does the Torah use the culminating moment for the priests to go through a long and bizarre induction ceremony? And what do its parallels to a certain other section of text teach us about the deeper role of the priests of the Temple? Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/

8. Parshat Tzav

   Dr. Mordechai Sabato

   The sacrifices are listed both in Parshat Vayikra, and again in Parshat Tzav - but in a different order. Why? When we closely examine the wording of the two parshiyot, It seems that Parashat Tzav presents a fundamentally different perspective on korbanot from that of Parashat Vayikra.  Vayikra offers the individual the opportunity to offer a sacrifice, while Parashat Tzav opens with the constant flame on the altar and the regular daily sacrifice, which express the altar's serving as a representation of the presence of the Shekhina. Therefore, the Torah teaches that the institution of sacrifices is more than just an opportunity offered to the people; it constitutes an essential part of the Mishkan, expressing the constant residence of the Shekhina among the Jewish people.

9. The Turning Point of Sefer Bamidbar

   Rabbi Yair Kahn

   תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |

   What is the turning point in Sefer Bamidbar? Although there could be various answers to that question, by exploring the story of Korach from a new angle we can notice its key role in shaping the rest of the book. The story teaches us about the role of the Kohanim within the nation, and what it means for every person to have their own mikdash within them. 

10. From Great Responsibility Comes...

    Avidan Freedman

11. The Entire Nation is Holy (Audio)

    Rabbi Yair Kahn | 14 minutes

    Despite Korach's rebellious intentions, he had a legitimate complaint. How can we answer Korach's charge that "the entire nation is holy"? By examining the ideas of sanctity and kehuna,  we can learn about the borders that must be set in order to truly achieve a nation of holiness.

12. The Entire Nation is Holy

    Rabbi Yair Kahn

    Despite Korach's rebellious intentions, he had a legitimate complaint. How can we answer Korach's charge that "the entire nation is holy"? By examining the ideas of sanctity and kehuna,  we can learn about the borders that must be set in order to truly achieve a nation of holiness.

13. “The Kohanim, the Levi’im”

    Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot

    Parshat Shoftim details the system of authority and public administration, whereby we learn that the king is commanded to be subservient both to the Torah and to the Kohanim and the Levi’im who are authorized to interpret it. The term “the Kohanim, the Levi’im” in Sefer Devarim is not a synonym for “the Kohanim” in the other Sefarim. Any levi may become a kohen; however, only those who serve in the Sanctuary are actually considered Kohanim. The term “the Kohanim, the Levi’im” indicates the authority and the rights bestowed on some of the Levi’im, who minister in the Sanctuary and who serve as teachers and leaders. The term “kohen” describes the role of ministering, rather than indicating family genealogy. According to Sefer Devarim the Levi’im were chosen because of their actions. When Moshe saw the people worshipping the Golden Calf, he declared, “Whoever is for God – come to me” – i.e., who is ready to serve God and to act as His agents. Only the Levi’im gathered to him, voluntarily; the other tribes did not. The Levi’im fulfilled, by their actions, the condition of being “full of eagerness,” and demonstrated, at the critical moment, their profound desire and readiness to be God’s servants, even where this required great self-sacrifice. The selection of the Tribe of Levi, then, is not dictated from Above, and is not an expression of family affiliation or unique natural qualities. Rather, it is the result of the Tribe of Levi volunteering itself for God.

14. The Vision of the Future Temple

    Part 2 - More Concealment than Revelation

    Dr. Tova Ganzel

    The description of the Temple and the city, has some concrete and precise elements, but at the very same time, lacks some very central details.  

    According to Yehezkel's prophecy, the changes in this Temple include not only the outer structure of the edifice, but also fundamental difference in who enters it. This change relates both to the measure of access afforded the people, but also the division of roles among the various leaders of the nation, and the degree to which they are connected to the Temple.

    The impression arising from Yehezkel’s prophecy is that the Temple is not a spiritual center for the entire nation. The Temple serves the kohanim and leviim, who perform their service within it as representatives of the people, while the only roles that are given to the people are the auxiliary functions and appearances: funding of the sacrifices, prostration, and a partial view of the Divine service.

15. Yehezkel 44-45

    Matan Al Haperek

    Rabbi David Sabato

    Perek 44: Having finished prophesying about the structure and measurements of the temple, Yechezkel turns to discuss the ritual order which will be in the future temple. The perek begins with the instruction that the Eastern Gate should remain closed (1-3). The majority of the perek is dedicated to the laws of the Priests and their work. First, aliens are distanced from the temple, and the Levites who have sinned are separated from the priests, the sons of Tzadok, who remained loyal to God.  Afterward the laws of the priests, which reflect the change in the status of the priests, are given in detail.

    Following the laws of the priests in perek 44 and the offerings to the priests in the end of the perek, Yechezkel turns in perek 45 to a different type of offering: the offerings of the land (1-8). This offering is a part of the process of redividing the land which will be described in detail in perek 48, and is a continuation of the process of repair and protection which will take place in the future temple. 

16. Short Thoughts on Parshat Emor - Special Warnings for Kohanim

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 5 minutes

    In Parashat Emor, the Kohanim are enjoined not to to shave their beards or strip their hair or making cuts in their skin. But all of these laws were prohibited to non-Kohanim as well. Why is this mentioned specifically about Kohanim?

    Respect for Kohanim is to come from their actions, not from cuts on their skin or head.

17. Erev Shabbat Parshat Tzav - Encouraging Aharon about Korbanot

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 13 minutes

    Why is it necessary to command Aharon with such apparent urgency? Could this be a form of special encouragement  to encourage people to bring korbanot? But if so, why would it be directed at the Kohamim?

    Delving into this question about offering allows us to appreciate the monetary challenges of bringing an offering. But is that, something that seems to be more of a challenge for non-Kohanim, really what’s going on here? Or is it about  a very different type of challenge for Aharon?

18. The Laws of Sacrifices

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    What is the role of the Kohen when it comes to bringing sacrifices? Through a close examination of the text we can understand the goal of the Kohanim as the teachers of Am Yisrael, and how this relates to the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot. 

19. Tzav: Please Take Out the Garbage

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

20. Emor: The Joys of a Kohen

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

21. Haftarat Emor: Kohanim and their Attire in and out of the Mikdash

    Rabbi David Silverberg

22. Kohanim and the Pitfalls of Superstition

    Rabbi David Silverberg

23. Emor - Perplexing Limits on Different Types of Kohanim

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell

    תאריך פרסום: תשס"ט | | 15 minutes

    Not knowing the answers doesn’t mean we should shy away from the questions. What do we do when the value system by which we live doesn’t see to correspond to a value that seemingly appears in the Torah?

    Kohanim with disabilities are not to serve in the Beit Hamikdash. They are Kohanim who are not allowed to sacrifice offernings, but they are allowed to partake in the eating which is exclusive to Kohanim. What does this mean, and why are these partial limitations in place?

    As we grapple with the question, we examine the role of kohanim and gain insight into the roles and significance of priesthood, prophecy, and monarchy, all of which are somewhat arbitrary and not available options to the majority of people. The Kohanim function as the vessels for the sacrifices of the nation. This paradigm may help us to better understand the limitations of the priesthood.

24. Egla Arufa - Kohanim and Communal Responsibility

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 15 minutes

    In this shiur, we look at the "egla arufa ritual," undertaken when a corpse is found between two cities. The elders must take a young calf, and the Kohanim are commanded to appraoch - "because God chose them to bless His name" and deal with quarrels and nega'im. The Torah does not say what they do here, though - the text shifts back to the role of the elders. What is going on? What are the Kohanim meant to do, and why doesn't the Torah specify their task here?

    Even without any action or practical practical purpose, the Kohanim must be there. We, too, can remember that sometimes our presence - or God's presence, is significant in its own right.

25. Ramban on Parshat Naso - Your Individual Task

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 34 minutes

    In Parashat Naso, we encounter a census and the delineation of various divisions of the responsibilities of the Kohanim who are to dissassemble, carry, and reassemble the Mishkan on the nation's journey through the wilderness. Ramban comments on the special mention of the family of Merari among the Kohanim, who are charged with a special task. We can all seek to remember to work on knowing our mission and destiny to fulfill our tasks to our best abilities within our own lives.

26. …To the priest in charge at that time

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

27. Lift Your Hands in Holiness

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky