Beth din shel Kohanim
Encyclopedia
The Beth Din
of the priests ("house of judgement of the priests" Hebrew: בית דין של כהנים) is a Mishnah
term used to describe the court of Jewish law composed of twenty-three senior priests
that would oversee the day to day operation of the Temple in Jerusalem
, including the sacrifices and offerings
, the verification of Aaronic lineage and the safeguarding of the vessels used in the Temple.
The Beth din
of the priests functioned on behalf and support of the Sanhedrin
, and performed its duties in the eleven Ammoth
located between the western wall of the Holy of Holies structure and the western wall of the azarah (temple courtyard). This area was also known in Hebrew as achurei Beth HaKaporeth ("behind the Holy of Holies").
Generally, the authority of the original Beth din shel Kohanim superseded that of the Sanhedrin in areas of interest relating to the Temple and to those related to the priesthood.
Some scholars are of the opinion that the 23 member body of the Beth din shel Kohanim also served in the Sanhedrin as a third of the 71 members serving therein.
Though the Beth din
of the priests is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, nor elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
s the Beth din shel Kohanim served their duties of temple operation and oversight of the priesthood.
The Sifri exegesis details that "from here it is said; there was an area behind the parochet wherein the investigation of Kohanic lineage would be performed".
The investigating properties of the Beth din shel Kohanim is described by scholars as being in addition, and secondary, to the investigating of Kohanic lineage performed by the Sanhedrin
.
Similarly, it is presumed that the Sanhedrin would perform a one-time investigation elevating the investigated Kohen from "status quo"
status to kohen meyuchas status ("Kohen-lineage verified by Beth-din") whereas the Beth din shel Kohanim would continuously monitor the status of duty-active Kohanim in terms of their keeping to the numerous Torah and Rabbinic law that accompanies the duties and privileges of priesthood.
. Generally, the Law
endows the priests with authority to instruct proper Mitzvah
performance of commandments as written in the Law and explained by the Sanhedrin
elders. Torah verses generally describe the instruction of the priest as both final-word and reliable (Deuteronomy 21:5), with the absence of a Kohen with Torah instructive abilities described as a national misfortune (2 Chronicles 15:3).
Torah commentators discount the notion that the Kohen is qualified to instruct by right of his Kohanic lineage alone. But state that is both his Kohanic lineage along with thorough knowledge of Torah law that qualifies the Kohen for Torah instruction
ic literature, the Beth din shel Kohanim consisted solely of Kohanim of verified patrilineal descent ("Kohanim meyuchashim") from Ahron HaKohen, as opposed to the Sanhedrin which was composed of members of all twelve tribes of Israel.
Mishna text confirms that the Beth din shel Kohanim was authorized to levy the death penalty ("dinei nefashot"). Rabbeinu Chananel was of the opinion that the Beth din shel Kohanim also oversaw the appointing and rotation of the 24 priestly divisions
. Similarly, the Beth din ran the daily temple operations and possibly controlled the initiation ceremonies of inaugurating new vessels ("Kli sharet") to be used in the temple.
Another item of interest to the Beth din shel Kohanim is quoted in tractate Ketuboth, where the Beth din
would ascertain that the ketubah
of a Bat-Kohen
bride would list a base rate of four hundred zuz (as opposed the common two hundred zuz) (Mishnah Ketuboth 1:5 and 10:2).
Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, in his Igrot Kodesh
work explains the involvement of the Beth din shel Kohanim as the primary initiating body of the Rosh Chodesh festival due to the unique Korban that is to be brought due to the Rosh Chodesh holiday -over which the Beth din shel Kohanim would preside.
temple service; which included the appointing of a Kohen
to escort the scapegoat
sacrifice to the desert. Mishnah commentators point out that it is also likely that the Beth din shel Kohanim was dutifully meticulous that the Kohen Gadol
would carry out his duties as required.
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of the priests ("house of judgement of the priests" Hebrew: בית דין של כהנים) is a Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
term used to describe the court of Jewish law composed of twenty-three senior priests
Kohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
that would oversee the day to day operation of the Temple in Jerusalem
Temple in Jerusalem
The Temple in Jerusalem or Holy Temple , refers to one of a series of structures which were historically located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, the current site of the Dome of the Rock. Historically, these successive temples stood at this location and functioned as the centre of...
, including the sacrifices and offerings
Korban
The term offering as found in the Hebrew Bible in relation to the worship of Ancient Israel is mainly represented by the Hebrew noun korban whether for an animal or other offering...
, the verification of Aaronic lineage and the safeguarding of the vessels used in the Temple.
The Beth din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of the priests functioned on behalf and support of the Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was an assembly of twenty-three judges appointed in every city in the Biblical Land of Israel.The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel made of 71 members...
, and performed its duties in the eleven Ammoth
Ammah
Ammah - a cubit, the name of a hill which Joab and Abishai reached asthe sun went down, when they were in pursuit of Abner . It lay to the east of Gibeon....
located between the western wall of the Holy of Holies structure and the western wall of the azarah (temple courtyard). This area was also known in Hebrew as achurei Beth HaKaporeth ("behind the Holy of Holies").
Generally, the authority of the original Beth din shel Kohanim superseded that of the Sanhedrin in areas of interest relating to the Temple and to those related to the priesthood.
Some scholars are of the opinion that the 23 member body of the Beth din shel Kohanim also served in the Sanhedrin as a third of the 71 members serving therein.
Hebrew Bible
The first recording of creation of the Beth din shel Kohanim is traditionally ascribed by Sifri to the verse:Though the Beth din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of the priests is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, nor elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
Midrash and Talmud
Midrash and Talmudic sources record that in both the first and Second TempleSecond Temple
The Jewish Second Temple was an important shrine which stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between 516 BCE and 70 CE. It replaced the First Temple which was destroyed in 586 BCE, when the Jewish nation was exiled to Babylon...
s the Beth din shel Kohanim served their duties of temple operation and oversight of the priesthood.
The Sifri exegesis details that "from here it is said; there was an area behind the parochet wherein the investigation of Kohanic lineage would be performed".
Secondary investigating of priestly lineage
Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was an assembly of twenty-three judges appointed in every city in the Biblical Land of Israel.The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel made of 71 members...
.
Similarly, it is presumed that the Sanhedrin would perform a one-time investigation elevating the investigated Kohen from "status quo"
The status quo Kohen
The status quo Kohen is a Rabbinic title which legitimates Kohen status to a Jewish Kohen who—amongst multiple criteria—exhibits conduct exemplary of and is recognized by his peers and community as such....
status to kohen meyuchas status ("Kohen-lineage verified by Beth-din") whereas the Beth din shel Kohanim would continuously monitor the status of duty-active Kohanim in terms of their keeping to the numerous Torah and Rabbinic law that accompanies the duties and privileges of priesthood.
Authority of priests to instruct
The status of priests as teachers of the Law is portrayed in multiple instances in the Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
. Generally, the Law
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
endows the priests with authority to instruct proper Mitzvah
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
performance of commandments as written in the Law and explained by the Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was an assembly of twenty-three judges appointed in every city in the Biblical Land of Israel.The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel made of 71 members...
elders. Torah verses generally describe the instruction of the priest as both final-word and reliable (Deuteronomy 21:5), with the absence of a Kohen with Torah instructive abilities described as a national misfortune (2 Chronicles 15:3).
Torah commentators discount the notion that the Kohen is qualified to instruct by right of his Kohanic lineage alone. But state that is both his Kohanic lineage along with thorough knowledge of Torah law that qualifies the Kohen for Torah instruction
Popular functions
Based on ChazalChazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
ic literature, the Beth din shel Kohanim consisted solely of Kohanim of verified patrilineal descent ("Kohanim meyuchashim") from Ahron HaKohen, as opposed to the Sanhedrin which was composed of members of all twelve tribes of Israel.
Mishna text confirms that the Beth din shel Kohanim was authorized to levy the death penalty ("dinei nefashot"). Rabbeinu Chananel was of the opinion that the Beth din shel Kohanim also oversaw the appointing and rotation of the 24 priestly divisions
Priestly divisions
The priestly divisions or sacerdotal courses are ritual work groups in Judaism originally formed during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE as documented in the biblical passage of 1 Chronicles 24. These priests were all descendants of Aaron, known also as Aaronites. Aaron had four...
. Similarly, the Beth din ran the daily temple operations and possibly controlled the initiation ceremonies of inaugurating new vessels ("Kli sharet") to be used in the temple.
Another item of interest to the Beth din shel Kohanim is quoted in tractate Ketuboth, where the Beth din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
would ascertain that the ketubah
Ketubah
A ketubah is a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride.-History:...
of a Bat-Kohen
Bat-Kohen
The daughter of a priest, or in Rabbinic terminology daughter of a Cohen, holds a special status which is governed by special regulations in the Hebrew Bible and rabbinical texts....
bride would list a base rate of four hundred zuz (as opposed the common two hundred zuz) (Mishnah Ketuboth 1:5 and 10:2).
Jewish holidays
Mishnaic sources imply that the Beth din shel Kohanim played an active role in designating the monthly Rosh Chodesh holiday. As per the mishna in tractate Rosh HaShanah quoting an instance where .Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, in his Igrot Kodesh
Igrot Kodesh
Igrot Kodesh is a collection of correspondence and responses of the seventh Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Menachem Mendel Schneerson....
work explains the involvement of the Beth din shel Kohanim as the primary initiating body of the Rosh Chodesh festival due to the unique Korban that is to be brought due to the Rosh Chodesh holiday -over which the Beth din shel Kohanim would preside.
Yom Kippur
Apparently, the Beth din shel Kohanim played an active role in the Yom KippurYom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
temple service; which included the appointing of a Kohen
Kohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
to escort the scapegoat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
sacrifice to the desert. Mishnah commentators point out that it is also likely that the Beth din shel Kohanim was dutifully meticulous that the Kohen Gadol
Kohen Gadol
The High Priest was the chief religious official of Israelite religion and of classical Judaism from the rise of the Israelite nation until the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem...
would carry out his duties as required.