Life During the Temple

It is difficult for us to imagine what life was like for the average Jew living during the time of the Temple. This was even more complex for the families of the Kohanim.

Specifically, the issue of קדשים, sanctified items, had to be addressed. There was the matter of Teruma, the gift that was designated for the Kohein. It had a status of being הקדש, or, a sanctified item. It was forbidden for anyone in a state of impurity, to eat or even touch Teruma. Similarly, when one designated animals for sacrifices, they also attain this status of Hekdesh. They could no longer be used for work as they now became the property of the Beit Hamikdash.

The family of the Kohein, were allowed to eat the Teruma, but this also needed to be done in a state of purity. They needed to be worried about dairy and meat, as well as Hekdesh. It sounds very complicated.

The penalty for inadvertently eating or trespassing Hekdesh, is that one must pay for the amount consumed plus one fifth of its value. In addition, a sacrifice known as אשם מעילות, needed to be offered for atonement. If this was done intentionally, one would receive lashes and pay its value. The lashes were administered instead of adding the fifth.

As complicated as it might sound to maintain a home back in Temple days, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived to have to deal with this complication?