Parshas Vayikra
The Role of a Kohain
The third book of the Chumash, Vayikra, is called "Torat Kohanim" - the
law of the priests - in rabbinic literature. This is undoubtedly because
most of the book is occupied with the laws of the specific sacrifices and
the duties of the kohanim in the Temple. However, there is another,
broader and more universal aspect to the name of the book of Vayikra/Torat
Kohanim. For implicit in the title is the realization that Kohanim are to
behave and live up to a certain standard set for them by the Torah. It is
not only the offering that is brought to the Temple that is important and
vital. It is also the Kohain who is charged with treating that offering
properly and respectfully that is important and vital for successful
Temple worship. It is therefore no coincidence that this book of
Vayikra/Torat Kohanim contains within it entire sections that deal with
moral laws and disciplined human behavior. A dishonest Kohain is not
allowed to a representative of God's Temple, just as a physically deformed
Kohain was also excluded from performing Temple service.
The Talmud explicitly teaches us that only if a Kohain somehow resembles
an angel of God in his behavior and deportment, would people come to study
Torah from his mouth and sense the true holiness of the Temple. The task
that was placed on the Kohanim was not one of mere rote service in the
Temple. It was rather the challenge to be exemplary in behavior, a role
model for others, and a teacher of Torah to Israel by deed as well as by
word, which would define the true Kohain. The Rabbis in Pirkei Avot
described the father of all Kohanim, the great Aharon, as a lover of
peace, a pursuer of peace, a lover of his fellow human beings and someone
who was able to bring people closer to Torah values, study and observance.
I feel that this description was not merely meant to be an obituary of
Aharon. Rather, it is meant as a blueprint as to what a true Kohain should
be - what he should represent and what image he should reflect to those
who come to him for counsel, aid, instruction and Temple service. We may
not have a Temple in our midst as of yet today, but we are sorely in need
of Kohanim - religious leaders cut from the cloth of Aharon and his value
system and life style. The book of Vayikra is the guide for all those who
aspire to religious leadership and influence in the Jewish world. It is
truly the book of Torat Kohanim.
Shabat Shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Text Copyright © 2004 Rabbi Berel Wein and
Torah.org.
