(Devarim 18: 8)
The Torah tells us the Kohanim were entitled to certain items from the sacrifices, such as the animal hides. If a Kohain from another area came to the Bais HaMikdash, he shares equally in the work and in the gifts given to the Kohanim.
The exception would be, “that which was transacted by the forefathers.” Some explain this to mean that a Kohain who sold a home left to him by his father, and thus had money, could not be told by the other Kohanim that since he didn’t need it, he should not partake of the priestly gifts. Rather, if he performed the avoda, he was entitled to get his reward.
This is not the primary understanding though. The Gemara in Sukkah says that these words refer to an actual arrangement made by previous generations of Kohanim in the times of Dovid and Shmuel. At that time, the Kohanim established specific watches, when groups of Kohanim would work in the Temple in rotation. Though all kohanim were entitled to a share in the offerings of the Bais HaMikdash, they “traded” with each other and said, “I’ll give you my share in the offerings of your week, and you give me your share in the offerings of mine.”
The Gemara says, “I would think these Kohanim who came from other areas for the holiday would also share in the non-Festival-related korbanos, offered by the Jews taking advantage of their presence in Jerusalem to fulfill their outstanding obligations for other sacrifices, but the Torah states, “aside from what the fathers transacted.” Those sacrifices remain part of the week of the mishmar on duty, and the visiting Kohain has no share.
It is striking how casually Moshe discussed future events as if they had already taken place. He mentions the arrangements the Kohanim would not make for another 400 years. Yet, it was clear that this was going to happen and, therefore, the visiting Kohanim were not entitled to the additional portions.
The fact that this comment could easily be missed speaks to the awesome timelessness of Torah. As the father of prophecy, Moshe could refer to what would occur in the future, and the Jews accepted it as fact. It did not even need to come to fruition for us to learn halacha from it. It simply was a fact.
The Torah is above time. Its laws are applicable and appropriate in every generation, regardless of what society is thinking or feeling at that moment. Nothing “new” develops that the Torah didn’t already take into consideration. This is a message we can use as we renew our devotion to Hashem and His mitzvos in approaching the new year ahead.
The Bais HaLevi, R’ Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, once met with a Russian judge. The judge said to Rav Soloveitchik, “Our laws are superior to your laws. For example, we have a law against bribery. According to this law, if a judge is caught accepting a bribe, the judge is punished as well as the person who bribed him. According to the laws of your Torah, however, it is forbidden only to accept a bribe, and the one who offers the bribe does not transgress any laws.
The Bais HaLevi answered, “On the contrary – it is precisely due to this law that the Torah is superior at protecting justice. According to your laws, the judge will not hesitate at all to accept a bribe, because he is positive that the one who offered him the bribe will not reveal this to anyone. He knows that if the matter is revealed, he will also be punished.
The Rav concluded, “However, according to the laws of the Torah, each judge is wary of accepting a bribe, lest the one who offered it will reveal what he did.
©2024 – J. Gewirtz
