Sanctify Him

Among the laws related to the Kohanim, there is one law that is learned from the word, וקדשתו, “And you must sanctify him.”

Generally, this means that the Kohein is called first to the Torah. He is often asked to lead the Birkat Hamazon. And if portions of food are distributed, he is given first choice.

When I came to Israel at age eighteen to study at Mercaz Harav, I learned this idea in practice. My roommate used to say to me, “If you weren’t a Kohein, I would ask you to clean up your side of the room!” Before that time, I was unaware that such a law even existed. This is seen much more in Israel than in the Diaspora, but it is an important Mitzva to observe.

The Kohein is born with intrinsic sanctity. He is asked to bless the Jewish people 450 times a year in Israel. It is said that the Shechina, the Divine Presence, passes through the fingers of the Kohein, during these blessings.

He performs the ceremony of Pidyon Haben, the redemption of the first born sons. And in Temple times, they were the ones empowered to diagnose leprous spots on one’s body, clothing, or even the walls of a home.

This explains why the Kohein was limited as to who he was allowed to marry. In order to perform the Mitzva of וקדשתו, the Kohein had to be worthy. If he married a forbidden woman to him,such as a divorcee or convert, he would lose his Kohein rights until he terminated that marriage.

From all of this we learn that we are to appreciate and respect the Kohanim with whom we come in contact!