Q. Rov Shlit’a. Is it true that one should not ask a Kohen to do some task or work for him just as a free favor? How about if he is paid just a little?
A. Our Torah (Vayikra 21:8) demands about a kohen “v’kidashto,” (you shall sanctify him), from which Sages learn to treat a Kohen as an honoured person. (Gittin 59b) Teshubos Maharam M’rotenburg (115), based on a Yerushalmi quotes indeed opinions that one should not be served by Kohanim. Yet he himself maintains that it is permitted even for free, if they so agree wholeheartedly.
Hago’os Mordechai (Gitin 85) tells a story of a Kohen that poured water on the hands of Rabbenu Tam, and one of his present disciples quoted the above Yerushalmi, yet Rabbenu Tam explained that Kohanim in our days lack the great complete holiness since they also don’t wear their Holy Clothing and therefore it is permitted.
See Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 128, 5) and Mishna Berura, which says if the Kohen benefits in any way and wholeheartedly agrees, it is permitted.
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting in need Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Important Numbers
