{"id":15500,"date":"2026-05-01T15:48:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/?p=15500"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:48:13","slug":"the-need-for-kohanim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/the-need-for-kohanim\/","title":{"rendered":"The Need for Kohanim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In the Holy Temple, the Kohanim (Priests) and Levi\u2019im (Levites) offered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/purpose-of-animal-sacrifice\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/purpose-of-animal-sacrifice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sacrifices<\/a> on behalf of the rest of the nation. But since the main purpose of sacrifices is atonement, wouldn\u2019t it be more appropriate for the individual seeking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/why-is-complete-repentance-sometimes-not-enough-for-atonement\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/why-is-complete-repentance-sometimes-not-enough-for-atonement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">atonement<\/a> to offer it himself?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Individual Repentance vs. Specialized Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary condition in achieving atonement is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/yom-kippur\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/yom-kippur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">repentance<\/a>, which is indeed done by the individual himself. He is also the one who spends the money and effort to provide the animal for the korban and bring it to the Beit HaMikdash. But the actual offering demands a precision in execution along with a degree of spiritual holiness that is beyond the reach of most people, and so we turn to the experts, the Kohanim and Levi\u2019im.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Unique Role of Shevet Levi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/golden-calf-sin-explained-what-really-happened-at-mount-sinai\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/golden-calf-sin-explained-what-really-happened-at-mount-sinai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sin of the Golden Calf<\/a>, Moshe stood in front of the entire nation and cried out, \u201cMi Lashem Eilai \u2014 Whoever is for Hashem, join me!\u201d And only the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/gds-army-wants-you\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/gds-army-wants-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tribe of Levi<\/a> \u2014 in its entirety \u2014 answered the call. Their unwavering loyalty demonstrated a devotion to Hashem that set them apart from the rest of the nation, and Hashem responded by elevating them above everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since they were chosen to be dedicated exclusively to the service of Hashem, Shevet (the tribe of) Levi did not receive a portion in the Land of Israel. Toiling the land to provide sustenance was left to the other tribes, while Shevet Levi spent their days serving Hashem and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/torah-study-for-beginners\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/torah-study-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teaching Torah<\/a>. As the Torah states (Bamidbar 18:20), \u201cHashem said to Aharon, You shall not inherit in their land, and you shall have no portion among them; I am your portion and heritage among the Children of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting the Kohanim and Levi\u2019im<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To make it possible for the Kohanim and Levi\u2019im to focus on serving Hashem without any other concerns, the rest of the nation was charged with sustaining them through tithes, such as terumah, maaser, and challah. This freed them from the demands of earning a livelihood, enabling them to spend years mastering the service, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/about.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studying Torah<\/a>, and cultivating the spiritual level required by the avodah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Their Elevated Level of Holiness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This elevated level of holiness is reflected in the laws that apply specifically to Kohanim. They are bound by additional mitzvot and prohibitions, including stricter limitations on whom they may marry and a prohibition to become impure. Additionally, the Torah commands us, \u201c\u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05d3\u05b7\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u2014 and sanctify him\u201d (Vayikra <a href=\"https:\/\/library.alhatorah.org\/?r1=Vayikra_21:8&amp;s1=1&amp;l1=he,en\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/library.alhatorah.org\/?r1=Vayikra_21:8&amp;s1=1&amp;l1=he,en\">21:8<\/a>), an obligation to honor Kohanim, expressed by such practices as giving them the first <em>aliyah <\/em>to the Torah and having them lead the bentching (Grace after Meals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Representatives of the Jewish People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another reason we need the Kohanim is for the communal sacrifices offered on behalf of the entire nation. Just as a group wishing to petition a king does not approach him one by one but sends a worthy representative to speak on their behalf, so too, the Kohanim serve as the representatives of the Jewish people before Hashem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/10-minutes-to-a-better-yom-kippur\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/jewish-resources\/10-minutes-to-a-better-yom-kippur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur<\/a> is the ultimate expression of this role. Although each individual\u2019s repentance remains essential, the Kohen Gadol was chosen to stand before Hashem and arouse His mercy, thereby achieving a full measure of atonement on behalf of the entire nation. To be prepared for, and worthy of, this lofty mission, he would spend the entire week beforehand in intense preparation, mastering every detail of the service and elevating himself spiritually, thereby becoming a fitting representative of the Jewish people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Short<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The tribe of Levi answered Moshe\u2019s call, demonstrating their loyalty to Hashem. Only such elevated people can achieve the precision and holiness the avodah demands, and act as national representatives for communal offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter tm-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.torahmates.org\/sign-up.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about the role of the Kohanim with a study partner. Sign up to TorahMates today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Written by Rabbi Aaron Shapiro<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Have another question to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oorah.org\/asktherabbi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ask a rabbi<\/a>? You can ask Rabbi Mintz your own question by joining&nbsp;Ask the Rabbi Live on Tuesdays at 9PM ET. You can also submit your questions to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:asktherabbi@oorah.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">asktherabbi@oorah.org<\/a>, or head to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oorah.org\/asktherabbi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oorah.org\/asktherabbi\/<\/a> to watch the latest Q&amp;As.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz In the Holy Temple, the Kohanim (Priests) and Levi\u2019im (Levites) offered sacrifices on behalf of the rest of the nation. But since the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[598,702,8,701,2,695,29,9,22],"tags":[252],"class_list":["post-15500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-the-rabbi","category-jewish-philosophy","category-judaism-101","category-mitzvot","category-shabbat-and-holidays","category-torah-study","category-vayikra","category-weekly-torah-portion","category-yom-kippur","tag-ask-the-rabbi"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Need for Kohanim - Jewish Resources<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If atonement is personal, why did Kohanim perform the sacrifices? 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