1) In Parshas Emor, we are told that the daughter of a Kohen who commits adultery is punished by fire (21:9). In Parshas Vayeira, the cities of Sodom and Amorah were overturned and burned with fire and sulfur (Bereishis 19:24). In Parshas Shemini, Nadav and Avihu were consumed by fire for offering incense in the Mikdosh that they were not commanded to bring (Vayikra 10:2). In Parshas Beha’aloscha, a group of complainers was consumed by fire (Bamidbar 11:1). In Parshas Korach, the 250 men who joined Korach’s rebellion were punished by fire (Bamidbar 16:35). In Parshas Re’eh, the Torah says that an Ir Hanidachas [wayward city in which most of the residents worshipped idolatry] and all its contents must be burned (Devorim 13:17). (Torah Teasers)
2) A Kohen with a broken leg or arm is disqualified from serving in the Beis HaMikdosh (21:19). An animal with a broken bone may not be offered as a korban to Hashem (22:22). If someone breaks another person’s bone, he must financially compensate him for the damage (24:20). (Torah Teasers)
3) A newborn ox, sheep, and goat must remain with its mother for seven days before it is eligible to be offered as a korban (22:27). Pesach is commemorated by eating matzah for seven days (23:6). The mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer requires us to count seven complete weeks from the day of the offering of the Omer until Shavuos (23:15). The korbonos that are brought on Shavuos include seven unblemished lambs in their first year (23:18). We are commanded to observe Rosh Hashanah by blowing the shofar on the first day of the seventh month (23:24) and Yom Kippur by afflicting ourselves on the tenth day of the seventh month (23:27). The Yom Tov of Succos begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (23:34), during which we take the arbah minim and dwell in the succah for seven days (23:40-42).
4) The Pri Megodim (Orach Chaim 53:14) rules that a Kohen has precedence to serve as shaliach tzibbur over a Levi and a Levi over a Yisroel, although a talmid chocham has precedence over all other categories. However, the Chelkas Yaakov (2:49) disagrees and argues that all of those obligated to lead the davening or say kaddish are legally considered partners in the mitzvah, and the Magen Avraham writes that there is no obligation for partners to give precedence to a partner who is a Kohen.
5) The Shu”t Avnei Chafetz (69:4, R’ Aharon Levin) discusses the above shailah and suggests two answers: 1) Although a Kohen Gadol isn’t allowed to leave Yerusholayim, if there is a big need he may. Like we find in Yoma (69a) that Shimon HaTzadik (who was a Kohen Gadol) went out to meet Alexander Moikdon. In such a case, the Kohen Gadol and mamzer may be found together. 2) The Minchas Chinuch (Mitzvah 133) says that the Kohen Gadol wasn’t allowed to sleep and stay outside Yerusholayim, however, to go there for a short time without staying overnight was allowed.
The Shu”t Chakeil Yitzchok (Spinka Rov, siman 84) proves that the din that a mamzer isn’t allowed to enter Yerusholayim is only if he wants to live there permanently, if he wants to enter temporarily he is allowed. The proof is, we don’t find that a mamzer is exempt from mitzvos which are connected to Yerusholayim and the Beis HaMikdosh, such as aliyah l’regel, bikkurim etc. Being as a mamzer in temporarily allowed to enter Yerusholayim, it’s understandable how we can have a scenario where he meets with a Kohen Gadol.
R’ Chaim Kanievsky (Derech Chochmah, Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 5:7, Biur Halachah) cites a number of cases where the Kohen Gadol may leave Yerusholayim: 1) According to R’ Eliezer ben R’ Yaakov (see Sotah 45a), when performing the mitzvah of eglah arufah, the Kohen Gadol together with the Sanhedrin, and the elders of Klal Yisroel would go out to the place of the murder. 2) Shimon HaTzaddik, went out to Antifras which is on the border of Eretz Yisroel, to meet Alexander Moikdon. 3) If the daughter of a Kohen was mezanah, and was now being punished through stoning, she would be taken out to the beis haskilah [stoning house] which was outside Yerusholayim, and the Kohen Gadol would walk out in front of her (see Sifri, Parshas Balak).
Perhaps another answer we could suggest is, although a mamzer isn’t allowed to enter Yerusholayim, if he happened to be born there, perhaps he is allowed to stay there.
I have started bringing answers to the weekly riddles the same week, however, I am still happy to receive any more answers you can think of, or have come across and will include them in future editions (unless you specify otherwise). If you have any good riddles, it would also be greatly appreciated if you could send them.
