How Should a Kohen Eat the Cheek Meat?
How Should a Kohen Eat the Cheek Meat?
The Torah gives the foreleg, cheeks, and abomasum to the Kohen. What is the preferred manner in which these gifts should be eaten?
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View the seferRoasted and Served With Mustard
The Torah uses the word lemishchah when speaking about gifts of the Kehuna. From this, the Sages derive a general principle: these gifts should be consumed in a distinguished manner, with an element of dignity appropriate to the Kohen’s service.
Regarding the foreleg, cheeks, and abomasum, the Talmud describes the preferred preparation as roasted and eaten with mustard.
Accordingly, the Kohen may roast the fresh cheek meat—or the tongue associated with the cheek portion—over a flame and serve it with mustard.
Is This the Only Permitted Preparation?
No. A Kohen who does not enjoy mustard or roasted meat may prepare the gift in another manner and season it according to his preference. Roasting it and serving it with mustard remains the preferred manner described by the Sages, but it is not the only permitted way to eat it.
The purpose is not culinary rigidity, but dignified enjoyment of a gift assigned by the Torah to the Kohen.
Helping a Fellow Jew Fulfill His Commandment
The sefer Rimon Peretz on tractate Chullin records an important point: the Kohen performs a commandment not only through the manner in which he eats the foreleg, cheeks, and abomasum, but also by being available to receive them.
By accepting the gifts, the Kohen enables the Israelite owner or shochet to fulfill the Torah commandment of giving them. The Kohen’s presence therefore makes another person’s fulfillment possible.
View Rimon Peretz
