Kollel Iyun Hadaf Zevachim 000: When Kohen Begins Learning Halachos of Avodah

 Kollel Iyun Hadaf Zevachim 000: When Kohen Begins Learning Halachos of Avodah

englishheaderbanner-discuss

Zevachim 000: When Kohen Begins Learning Halachos of Avodah

Chaim asks:

Where is the stam mishnah that tell us when cohen is obliged to begin his study of halacha for his avodah in the beis hamikdash, at what age he begins that avodah, ett. Until he is no longer obliged for annual mishmeret (milloim) and then the becomes teacher in Beit Raban ?

THANKS !

***

The Kollel replies:

Shalom Chaim Meyer,

1) I do see that the Gemara in Chulin 24a indicates that there is not much limitation on the age range for a Kohen. He does have to be a man rather than a boy, i.e. physically mature (two hairs; see Rashi DH mishe'Yavi). Also, once he is so old and weak that his body quivers, he is not fit to serve anymore (see Chulin 24b, Rashi DH she'Yiratet).

Incidentally, you will see in the same Gemara that there is a restricted age range during which a Levi may serve, including five years of training from age 25 to 30, during which he learns the laws of the Avodah.

2) Notwithstanding the age limitations that we discussed above, there are instances where we see the young Kohanim -- even as children under Bar Mitzvah -- participating in Beis ha'Mikdash activities, sometimes to assist parts of the service, though not Avodah per se. For instance, in Maseches Sukah (Mishnah 5:2; Daf 51a), we learn that the children Kohanim would climb the tall ladders to deposit oil into the lights which would burn for the Simchas Beis ha'Sho'evah celebration. Other examples where the Pirchei Kehunah play a role in the Beis ha'Mikdash are found in the following: Midos 3:8 regarding climbing the golden chains to glimpse the crowns of the Heichal; Sanhedrin 9:6 regarding the punishment of a Kohen who served while Tamei; Yoma 1:7 regarding the effort to keep the Kohen Gadol awake all night of Yom Kippur; Tamid 1:l regarding sleeping on the floor in the Beis ha'Moked.

I hope this helps!

Yishai Rasowsky

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The goal of the group's for Jewish Independency on the Har HaBait

Yahuda101 History of the Modern state of Israel

To my dear family, friends, and non-Jewish friends (Ephraim with a Jewish heart) a Shabbat Shalom.

Julius I ask