5754

The Kohen Gadol’s position was passed on to his son after his death. The Talmud in Yoma 72b states that this halacha was not applicable to a Kohen Gadol who had been anointed specifically to lead Bnei Yisrael into war. The Mashuach Milchamah, the special Kohen Gadol who had received his position only for the purpose of leadership in battle, did not bequeath the kehunah gedolah, high priesthood, to his son. The Chofetz Chaim z.l. was once asked to decide a din Torah regarding a Rav of a community who had passed away. The members of the community chose to…

It is interesting to note that the Torah places emphasis upon the Kohen Gadol’s crown. The Kohen Gadol had neither sovereignty nor power over Bnei Yisrael. His mission in life was to be Bnei Yisrael’s “agent” in the Bais Hamikdash by offering the korbanos and to be Bnei Yisrael’s preeminent teacher and spiritual mentor. It is, therefore, enigmatic that the Torah stresses his crown. In contrast, the Melech Yisrael, Jewish king, who was charged with ruling the people and did have jurisdiction over them, is not portrayed as having a crown. The only demand placed upon the king was that…

Rashi explains that the requirement of “kasis,” beaten, only applies to the oil used for the menorah. Oil which is used for menachos, meal offerings, does not have this stipulation. Horav S.Y. Zevin z.l. explains this halacha homiletically. The oil used for lighting the menorah symbolizes the light of Torah, while the oil used for the meal offerings represents man’s material sustenance. The Torah seems to admonish that “beaten” oil or “toiling” for the purpose of material sustenance is not a requirement. On the other hand, “ameilus”, toil, is an essential pre-requisite for Torah study and spiritual development. Torah study…