Kohanim and Wine

Shavua Tov. We, in ארץ ישראל, read פרשת נשא. In it, we have the discussion of the סוטה, the woman suspected of being unfaithful to her husband, as well as the נזיר, the one who abstains from drinking wine and cutting his hair. It is fairly well known that the Rabbis say that the connection between נזיר and סוטה, is that if one sees a סוטה in her ruin, should abstain from wine and become a נזיר. For it was the wine that allowed her to sin. The Gemara in תענית goes a step further and asks why ברכת כהנים, the blessing of the Kohanim followed נזיר. The Gemara’s answer is that just like drinking wine disqualifies a נזיר, so, too, does drinking wine, disqualify a Kohein from performing Temple service. From here we learn that one who is drunk, may not perform the ברכת כהנים, the Priestly blessing. This is the reason why we never have ברכת כהנים at Mincha, unless it’s a fast day. We are concerned that the Kohein may have drunk wine at lunch, prohibiting him for ברכת כהנים. The Gemara further recommends that Kohanim should never drink intoxicating beverages, for the בית המקדש might suddenly be built, and sober Kohanim will be needed for Temple service.