Altruism is alive and well among the people of Israel – are you considering donating an organ? are you wondering what the Torah has to say about saving another persons life? Any encompassing approach to the specifics of organ donations should include the Mishna (Horiyot 3 8) telling us matter-of-factly that there is a seder…
The word Kosher is sourced (not in Yiddish, but rather) in Mishnaic and Targumic texts. Literally, it cognates with כשורה – “in line”. Meaning to say in line with a variable of criteria. In terms of kosher food, the word “kosher” is used to demonstrate that a particular food is in line with the dietary…
As chazal encouraged challah be given to the kohen in chu”l for him – not to burn – but to actually eat, a minhag encouraged by some of the bigger rishonim, The kohen who chooses to eat the challah given to him (again, this is allowed only in Chu”l as the entire gift is merely…
There are two unique minhagim (customary actions) applicable to a kohen for the special day of Yom Kippur, this article is a brief presentation of these minhagim; Washing until the wrist Generaly, netillat yadayim (negel vasser) performed on the morning of Yom Kipper is done by pouring water only until the knuckles. A kohen however, is…
General note: Please consult with your local Orthodox Rabbi for information on kohen-friendly areas in your city For our incomplete listing of Orthodox-Jewish cemeteries that have availability a designated area near the perimeter of the cemetery for burial-use of kohanim and their close family; Ohio Mt. Olive Cemetery – 27855 Aurora Road Solon, OH 44139 Bet Olam Cemetery – Beechwood…
Among the methods of maintaining a state of Tahara in a tammei environment is by way of protection of צמיד פתיל and שידה, תיבה ומגדל. צמיד פתיל צמיד פתיל (Tzamid Passil or Sammid Pthil) is a mishna term used to define an airtight container or enclosure that prevents tumah from being transmitted. Although generally, there…
“`html Kohen Study Note Adamdam: A Reddish-White Appearance + Core Definition Adamdam, אדמדם, describes a qualifying white appearance that carries a reddish component. It distinguishes this reddish-white presentation from the ordinary white shades discussed in the laws of human-skin nega’im. How the Reddish Color May Appear The reddish quality may extend uniformly across the entire…
A wool strip (לשון של צמר) colored red using the famed Tola’ath Shani תולעת שני dye is a required ingredient for the purification – Tahara – process of he/she who’s skin nega has receded from it’s state of impurity – tumah. What is שני תולעת? Tosefta and talmud yerushalmi describe the תולעת שני as a…
The Torah instructs that the kohen use a עץ ארז as part of the purifying process of the metzora. This process is done immediately upon the recession of the nega. Type of wood The wood used is עץ ארז, known as the famed cedar of Lebanon wood. But, the story of rabbi Tarfon indicates that…
For the Studying Kohen Preparing to Carry the Torah’s Purification Process The laws of the metzora may be studied by all Israel, but the Torah entrusts the Kohen with the formal examination, declaration, and essential priestly acts of the purification process. The Kohen is therefore called to become knowledgeable in the appearances, their names, and…