Temple Manager and Scholar

The Beit Hamikdash had a learned individual serve on a regular basis, to make sure that all of the details of Temple service were fulfilled according to the Torah.

Technically, he was the assistant to the Kohein Hagadol. He was referred to as the “Memuneh,” or, appointed one. There was really no specific position known as “Assistant to the High Priest.” But in the event that the Kohein Hagadol could not serve, because of illness or being impure, the Memunah would be the substitute High Priest.

It was his primary duty to manage the logistics of running the day to day activities in the Temple. Every Shabbat there was a changing of the guard, as each of the Kohein families, known as “Mishmarot,” served for one week at a time.

He also had to oversee that the sacrifices were being offered down to the last detail. Parshat Tzav spoke of the Mincha sacrifice, which was a meal offering. The Kohein was to take a fistful of this offering and throw it on the altar. The remainder of the dough, which was significant, was a gift to the Kohanim on duty.

If a Kohein himself offered the Mincha sacrifice, the entire amount of dough was offered on the Mizbeach. This is one example of all of the minute details that the Memuneh needed to be certain were observed to the letter.

He was a full time employee of the Temple, and received modest compensation for his efforts. There was also a full time doctor on staff at the Beit Hamikdash. He was expert in foot problems, because the Kohanim served barefoot. He also was expert in digestive issues, as the Kohanim sometimes consumed large amounts of meat, and may have had problems with digestion.

Nevertheless, the Memuneh was the unsung hero in the Temple. He had an extremely demanding job, without much recognition.