The Kohanim sons of Tzadok
Encyclopedia
The Sons of Zadok are a family of priests descended from Zadok, the first high priest to in Solomon's Temple
.
The sons of Zadok are mentioned three times in the Hebrew Bible, as part of the Third Temple prophecies in the final chapters of the Book of Ezekiel
, and are a theme in Jewish and Christian interpretation of these chapters.
at Hor HaHar, he was accompanied by his brother Moses
, as well as his (Aaron's) elder son Eleazar
and younger son Ithamar
. Upon entry to the cave where Aaron died, he witnessed as his brother Moses dressed his elder son Eleazer with the clothes of the high priesthood, as initiation to high priesthood. Jewish commentaries on the Bible
express that this initiation ceremony served as the catalyst for the stipulation that all future candidates of high priesthood be patrilineal descendants of Eleazar the elder son of Aaron and not Ithamar - the younger son. Similarly, the Hebrew Bible relates how, at the time Phineas son of Eleazar appeased God's anger, he merited the divine blessing of God; . Torah commentators such as Yosef Karo
and explain that the continuity of high priesthood is put forth to the descendants of Phineas from this noted verse.
. In addition, he also failed to address the needs of relieving Jephthah of his vow
. As consequence, the high priesthood was taken from him and given to the offspring of Ithamar
, essentially Eli and his sons. Upon the sin of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, Elkanah
prophecized the return of high priesthood to the sons of Elazar; . This prophecy of Elkanah ultimately happened in the era of King David when Zadok from the progeny of Eleazar was appointed as high priest. The Metzudoth and Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
comment that the service of Zadok and his sons was in line with the will of God even at times when the actions of the general nation was not. The Midrash Rabba
relates how Zadok and offspring where righteous in their personal actions and service to the Temple to the point that where Aaron and his sons present at the era of Zadok and sons, Zadok and sons would supersede them in quality (Koheleth Rabbah Chap. 1). Rashi
comments that since Zadok functioned first as high priest in Solomon's Temple, as opposed to the tabernacle, which was mobile, and also busied himself with establishing the twenty-four priestly divisions
, he merited that the preferred lineage of Eleazar be called by his name, "the sons of Zadok (as opposed to being titled the sons of Eleazar
), and the entire concept of the twenty-four divisions be attributed to him (Rashi to Ezekiel 43:19).
of the priesthood then taking place in Jerusalem.
(1857), the founder of Reform Judaism
, was of the opinion that the Sadducee (Tzadoki in Mishnaic pronunciation) sect of Judaism drew their name from Zadok the high priest in The First Temple, and that the leaders of the Sadducees were in fact the "Sons of Zadok.".
However Avot of Rabbi Natan
(5:2) states that the Sadducees began at the same time as the Boethusians
, and their founder was a later Zadok who, like Boethus, was a student of Antigonus of Sokho
during the second century BCE, who preceded the Zugot era during the Second Temple period
.
Sifre Devarim, the Tannaitic midrash
on Deuteronomy
, took a dim view of both the Sadducees and Boethusian groups not only due their perceived carefree approach to keeping to written Torah and Oral Torah
law, but also due their attempts to persuade common-folk to join their ranks.
Maimonides viewed the Sadducees as Gonvei Da'at
(stealers of the mind/knowledge) of the greater Jewish nation and of intentionally negating the Chazalic interpretation of Torah (Torah Shebal Peh). Likewise, in his Mishneh Torah
treatise he defines the Sadducees as "Harming Israel and causing the nation to stray from following HaShem.
Considering the lack of Chazalic documentary indicating a connection between Zadok the first high priest and the later Zadok student of Antignos of Sokho, along with the thirteen or more generations between the two Zadoks, Rabbinical writings tend to put a damper on that association Additional aspects disproving that association include a Chazalic mention that the Sadducee and Boethusian groups favored using vessels of Gold and Silver whereas the common vessel usage of Kohanim - to negate transmission of uncleanliness - were typically of stone.
and the Ten Tribes against the Kingdom of David and the priesthood of Zadok. A number of commentators point out that at the time of a popular rebellion the true adherents to the king stand firm in their commitment of support to the king, and once the rebellions subsides the king comes forth the reward his unwavering supporters. As recognition for not participating in idol worship and for actively and publicly sanctifying God's holy name
, the sons of Zadok where granted numerous benefits in the Third Temple(Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal to Malachi
3:3). Asher ben Jehiel
in his Torah commentary likens the public actions of the sons of Zadok to those of the Tribe of Levi at the time of the sin of the Golden Calf (Rosh to Deuteronomy
10:8). In describing the uniqueness of the sons of Zadok, Rabbinic commentators liken their ability to reject Idol worship to that of a person with Medical Immunity
against a plague, thus allowing them to function normally while others succumb to its undesirable results.
This specific Kohanic family proved themselves as loyal to the service of Yahweh
in terms of not submitting to the then popular theme of idol worship - as did the general population of Jerusalem as well as the Kohanim (plural form of Kohen
). According to Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 4:5 the period of idol worship initiated from the rebellion of Jeroboam
up until the destruction of the First Temple. According to Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 4:5 the period of idol worship initiated from the rebellion of Jeroboam
up until the destruction of the First Temple.
The book of Ezekiel details that the family line of priests, sons of Zadok, will execute the primary services in the Third Temple, that is the services of the altar of the burnt-offering. According to Oral Torah
, the choosing and appointing of the high priest depends on the appointee being a descendant of Zadok, in the Midrash ha-Gadol
to Genesiu 6:4 et al. As well, the Jewish establishment of the Second Temple
upon return from Babylonian captivity
included this specific prerequisite of the high priest being of Zadokite descent, according to Rashi
.
The Jewish liturgist Shmuel HaNagid
wove the timely actions of the sons of Zadok into his composition;
Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal comments that unlike the sons of Zadok who did not submit to idol worship the other priests who served idols are not eligible to service the altar of burnt offering but only other services, such as song service. In regards to terumah
and kodesh (sacrificial) consumption, those priests will be eligible in the future Third Temple.
of the Sabbath Torah reading of Emor, the 8th Section of Leviticus
, that discusses the sons of Zadok, Ahavath Yonathan, Jonathan Eybeschutz
, Isaac Abrabanel
, Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal, note that the status of the sons of Zadok after the coming of the Messiah will be that of "semi" high priests.
One similarity shared by the High Priest and the Sons of Zadok is the instance that the Law prohibiting the High Priest from defiling himself by contact with a dead family member lists the father before listing the mother. This same sequence is followed regarding the sons of Zadok as opposed the standard priest, where the mother is listed first, the former listed in Parshat Emor
in Leviticus and the latter in the Haftarah to Parshat Emor
.
Categorization of the sons of Zadok as quasi-High-Priests is not purported to discount the notion of one of the sons of Zadok being singled out for role as full high priest. Such, there is Rabbinic documentary that describe the future high priest from the sons of Zadok as having certain priorities, or at least being equal to the future Jewish Messiah
King. (Torah study
to Samuel 1 2:37)
.
explains the prophetic choosing of the words "fat and blood" to describe the sons of Zadok's actions as symbolizing the union of spirituality and physicality, as opposed to using the word mincha (offering) which usually connotes a vegetable offering. Additionally, the choice of the words "they will come close to my table to serve me," noting that the table is placed to the North side of the Temple, symbolizes monetary control (as per common Kaballah teaching that north is synonymous with monetary issue) without concern of the sons of Zadok falling to temptation of Bribery and similar monetary injustices (Ahavath Yonathan to Haftarah Emor reading in Leviticus).
when performing Temple service, and to refrain entirely from using wool
, commonly used in the standard priestly sash
.
.
Commentators write that wearing clothing exclusively linen is considered haughty and showy, therefore the sons of Zadok are permitted to wear clothes of wool when going out to mingle with the nation. As an additional explanation to refraining from wool during service in the inner court is due to the nature of sheep to graze in any field they find -even one that the owner does not specifically give permission to (i.e. theft), whereas linen -as a crop- grows where the sustenance-source of the crop is taken by and with the will of the field owner.
The stipulation that a priest is forbidden from marrying a divorcee is already known from Leviticus 21:1-24:23. However, the inclusion of forbidding a widow, which was usually permitted to a priest if not the high priest, is a subject of Rabbinic debate. The Talmud Bavli reads that the earlier part of Ezekiel 44 relates to the sons of Zadok, whereas 44:22 relates to priests who are not of Zadokite descent, meaning that the Zadokites, like the high priest, were forbidden from marrying a widow (B.Kiddushin 78b). This explanation is echoed by the Malbim
, Jonathan Eibshitz, and other commentators who see the future status of the sons of Zadok in a Third Temple as quasi-high priests.
explains that the widow of a priest is instructed by Ezekiel to marry another priest so as not be demoted from eating terumah
, but she is nonetheless forbidden from marrying the sons of Zadok. Along with his view, others explain that since the sons of Zadok are ordered by Ezekiel to be active in the Torah instruction of the Kohanim
, the need to have a positive public image is crucial and marrying a widow may cause gossip and rumor that the Zadokite priest had transgressed forbidden relationships in Judaism
Similarly, there is the concern that the widow of a non-priest was initially a divorcee, and over time this fact was forgotten, whereas the widow of a priest is likely not a divorcee since all priests are forbidden from marrying divorcees. Jonathan Eybeschutz
also reasons is the marital life quality with a widow is not one of full tranquility. As well, the wording of Ezekiel directs the Zadokite priest to marry a virgin, as he is to maintain a disposition of peace. Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal favors the initial marriage of the sons of Zadok with the daughter of a priest.
is cause for loss of marital integrity amongst the greater Jewish population whereas the Kohanim
are more apt at maintaining an above-average standard of integrity for their spouses -thus the widow of a priest is permitted to the sons of Zadok.
.
Other Hebrew Bible verses direct the priest to be judges at Torah law, to be involved with curing skin disease
, the law of the anonymous murder victim (see Shoftim (parsha)
), and Sotah
justice. Although these items are expounded on by Chazal
, there is not an absolute Chazalic directive that requires the Kohanim to busy themselves with monetary justice.
Chaim Yosef David Azulai, based on the writings of Samson ben Pesah Ostropoli
, explains that the sons of Zadok are required to commit to judging monetary disputes, and are divinely blessed with an inherent ability to conquer the negative attribute of forgetfulness and to judge truthfully.
The Mekubalim, Kabbalah mystics, note that in the Messianic era the concept of nightfall and darkness will cease, thus no visual indication of the start of Shabbat will be present (as Shabbat typically begins at sunset), thus the sons of Zadok will be responsible for indicating to the nation of Israel the precise start time of sanctifying Shabbat. Zadok of Lublin writes that the observance of Shabbat by the priests, who are otherwise sustained by The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
and do not participate in the national workforce, causes a surplus of kedusha
to the entire nation of Israel and protects them from submitting to evil impulses
.
to the Twelve tribes of Israel and to the Messiah
, the apportioning of a swath of land to the Sons of Zadok around the Temple Mount
is mentioned. The measurement of this area is specified as 4,750 kanns (The kann measurement of Ezekiel is described as six amah
s, with each amah consisting of six tefachs) beginning from the southern end of the Temple Mount heading South and from the opposite edge of the Temple Mount leading North, 12,250 kann
s leading West and likewise to the East. This portion of the sons of Zadok is included in the 25,000 by 25,000 kann
s that are to be given the greater Tribe of Levi with the greater tribe of Levi including Kohanim as well (Ezezkiel chapters 45 and 48).
(see also Beit Knesset Kohanim HaDintreisa
), describes multiple personality aspects to be used in identifying genuine Kohanim. Hai Gaon, in his letter, describes the character traits of the Kohanim sons of Zadok as such;
and his relative Joshua the High Priest
.
Commonly known Rabbinic kohanim of Zadokite lineage include the Tanna
Eleazar ben Azariah
, noted as being of tenth generation lineage to Ezra. The Babylonian Talmud introduces "Rabbi Ezrah the great-grandson of Rabbi Avtulas" as a Kohen of tenth generation from Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah.
Rabbi Rifael Ziskind Katz of Hamburg was likewise known to be a descendant of the biblical Ezra
, his patrilineal grandsons include HaRav HaNazir
, and modern Rabbinic persona She'ar Yashuv Cohen
and Yoel Kahan
.
Rabbinic literature indicates that there were numerous priestly families of Zadokite lineage - amongst them David HaKohain Bar Isha, who upon the Spanish expulsion in 1492, emigrated to the town of Debdou
in Morroco - a town purported to have consisted of a large population of priests.
Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was the main temple in ancient Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount , before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587 BCE....
.
The sons of Zadok are mentioned three times in the Hebrew Bible, as part of the Third Temple prophecies in the final chapters of the Book of Ezekiel
Book of Ezekiel
The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, following the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah and preceding the Book of the Twelve....
, and are a theme in Jewish and Christian interpretation of these chapters.
The Aaronic priesthood in the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible records how prior to the death of AaronAaron
In the Hebrew Bible and the Qur'an, Aaron : Ααρών ), who is often called "'Aaron the Priest"' and once Aaron the Levite , was the older brother of Moses, and a prophet of God. He represented the priestly functions of his tribe, becoming the first High Priest of the Israelites...
at Hor HaHar, he was accompanied by his brother Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
, as well as his (Aaron's) elder son Eleazar
Eleazar
Eleazar , was a priest in the Hebrew Bible, the second Kohen Gadol - succeeding his father Aaron. He was a nephew of Moses.-Life:...
and younger son Ithamar
Ithamar
In the Torah, Ithamar is mentioned as the youngest son of Aaron the High Priest. After the death of his two eldest brothers Nadab and Abihu when they had been punished by the Lord for performing an unauthorized sacrificial offering, Ithamar served as a priest along with his elder brother, Eleazar...
. Upon entry to the cave where Aaron died, he witnessed as his brother Moses dressed his elder son Eleazer with the clothes of the high priesthood, as initiation to high priesthood. Jewish commentaries on the Bible
Jewish commentaries on the Bible
This article describes the first printing of the Hebrew Bible with major Jewish commentaries, notes concerning translations into Aramaic and English, lists some universally accepted Jewish commentaries with notes on their method of approach and lists modern translations into English with notes.-...
express that this initiation ceremony served as the catalyst for the stipulation that all future candidates of high priesthood be patrilineal descendants of Eleazar the elder son of Aaron and not Ithamar - the younger son. Similarly, the Hebrew Bible relates how, at the time Phineas son of Eleazar appeased God's anger, he merited the divine blessing of God; . Torah commentators such as Yosef Karo
Yosef Karo
Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled Yosef Caro, or Qaro, was author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the Shulchan Aruch, which is still authoritative for all Jews pertaining to their respective communities...
and explain that the continuity of high priesthood is put forth to the descendants of Phineas from this noted verse.
The removal of the priesthood from the house of Ithamar to the house of Zadok
Torah commentators record that Phineas sinned due to his not availing his servitude of Torah instruction to the masses at the time leading up to the Battle of GibeahBattle of Gibeah
The Battle of Gibeah is an episode in the Book of Judges. The battle was triggered by an incident of gross inhospitality on part of the Tribe of Benjamin, in which a concubine belonging to a man from the Tribe of Levi was raped to death by a rowdy mob, after the Levite had offered his concubine to...
. In addition, he also failed to address the needs of relieving Jephthah of his vow
Neder
In Judaism, a neder is a declaration, using the name of God, of the acceptance of a self-made pledge, stating that the pledge must be fulfilled with the same importance as a halakha. The neder may be to fulfill some act in the future or to refrain from a particular type of activity of the...
. As consequence, the high priesthood was taken from him and given to the offspring of Ithamar
Ithamar
In the Torah, Ithamar is mentioned as the youngest son of Aaron the High Priest. After the death of his two eldest brothers Nadab and Abihu when they had been punished by the Lord for performing an unauthorized sacrificial offering, Ithamar served as a priest along with his elder brother, Eleazar...
, essentially Eli and his sons. Upon the sin of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, Elkanah
Elkanah (husband of Hannah)
Elkanah was, according to the Books of Samuel, the husband of Hannah, and the father of her children including her first, Samuel. Elkanah practised polygamy; his other wife, less favoured but bearing more children, was named Peninnah. The names of Elkanah's other children apart from Samuel are...
prophecized the return of high priesthood to the sons of Elazar; . This prophecy of Elkanah ultimately happened in the era of King David when Zadok from the progeny of Eleazar was appointed as high priest. The Metzudoth and Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno
Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno was an Italian rabbi, Biblical commentator, philosopher and physician. He was born at Cesena about 1475 and died at Bologna in 1550....
comment that the service of Zadok and his sons was in line with the will of God even at times when the actions of the general nation was not. The Midrash Rabba
Midrash Rabba
Midrash Rabba or Midrash Rabbah can refer to part of or the collective whole of aggadic midrashim on the books of the Tanach, generally having the term "Rabbah" , meaning "great," as part of their name...
relates how Zadok and offspring where righteous in their personal actions and service to the Temple to the point that where Aaron and his sons present at the era of Zadok and sons, Zadok and sons would supersede them in quality (Koheleth Rabbah Chap. 1). Rashi
Rashi
Shlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
comments that since Zadok functioned first as high priest in Solomon's Temple, as opposed to the tabernacle, which was mobile, and also busied himself with establishing the twenty-four 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...
, he merited that the preferred lineage of Eleazar be called by his name, "the sons of Zadok (as opposed to being titled the sons of Eleazar
Eleazar
Eleazar , was a priest in the Hebrew Bible, the second Kohen Gadol - succeeding his father Aaron. He was a nephew of Moses.-Life:...
), and the entire concept of the twenty-four divisions be attributed to him (Rashi to Ezekiel 43:19).
The sons of Zadok in the Book of Ezekiel
The three Hebrew Bible mentions of the sons of Zadok in the Third Temple occur in the book of Ezekiel. These sources are presented in spite of Ezekiel himself, as a priest, being from the descendants of Ithamar and not Eleazar, as are Zadok and sons.Dead Sea Scrolls
Various documents of the texts found at Qumran mention the teachers of the community as "Sons of Zadok", leading some scholars to assume that the community at Qumran included priests who refused to participate in the HellenizationHellenization
Hellenization is a term used to describe the spread of ancient Greek culture, and, to a lesser extent, language. It is mainly used to describe the spread of Hellenistic civilization during the Hellenistic period following the campaigns of Alexander the Great of Macedon...
of the priesthood then taking place in Jerusalem.
The possible "Zadokite" origin of the Sadducees
Abraham GeigerAbraham Geiger
Abraham Geiger was a German rabbi and scholar who led the founding of Reform Judaism...
(1857), the founder of Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
, was of the opinion that the Sadducee (Tzadoki in Mishnaic pronunciation) sect of Judaism drew their name from Zadok the high priest in The First Temple, and that the leaders of the Sadducees were in fact the "Sons of Zadok.".
However Avot of Rabbi Natan
Avot of Rabbi Natan
Avot de-Rabbi Nathan , usually printed together with the minor tractates of the Talmud, is a Jewish aggadic work probably compiled in the geonic era . Although Avot de-Rabbi Nathan is the first and longest of the "minor tractates", it probably does not belong in that collection chronologically,...
(5:2) states that the Sadducees began at the same time as the Boethusians
Boethusians
The Boethusians were a Jewish sect closely related to, if not a development of, the Sadducees.-Origins according to the Talmud:The post-Talmudic work Avot de-Rabbi Natan gives the following origin of the schism between Sadducees and Boethusians: Antigonus of Sokho having taught the maxim, "Be not...
, and their founder was a later Zadok who, like Boethus, was a student of Antigonus of Sokho
Antigonus of Sokho
Antigonus of Sokho was the first scholar of whom Pharisee tradition has preserved not only the name but also an important theological doctrine. He flourished about the first half of the third century BCE. According to the Mishnah, he was the disciple and successor of Simon the Just...
during the second century BCE, who preceded the Zugot era during the Second Temple period
Second Temple period
The Second Temple period , in Jewish history, is the period between 530 BCE and 70 CE, when the Second Temple of Jerusalem existed. It ended with the First Jewish–Roman War and the Temple's destruction....
.
Sifre Devarim, the Tannaitic midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
on Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
, took a dim view of both the Sadducees and Boethusian groups not only due their perceived carefree approach to keeping to written Torah and Oral Torah
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
law, but also due their attempts to persuade common-folk to join their ranks.
Maimonides viewed the Sadducees as Gonvei Da'at
Geneivat da'at
Geneivat da'at or g'neivat daat or genebath da'ath is a concept in Jewish law and ethics that refers to a kind of dishonest misrepresentation or deception...
(stealers of the mind/knowledge) of the greater Jewish nation and of intentionally negating the Chazalic interpretation of Torah (Torah Shebal Peh). Likewise, in his Mishneh Torah
Mishneh Torah
The Mishneh Torah subtitled Sefer Yad ha-Hazaka is a code of Jewish religious law authored by Maimonides , one of history's foremost rabbis...
treatise he defines the Sadducees as "Harming Israel and causing the nation to stray from following HaShem.
Considering the lack of Chazalic documentary indicating a connection between Zadok the first high priest and the later Zadok student of Antignos of Sokho, along with the thirteen or more generations between the two Zadoks, Rabbinical writings tend to put a damper on that association Additional aspects disproving that association include a Chazalic mention that the Sadducee and Boethusian groups favored using vessels of Gold and Silver whereas the common vessel usage of Kohanim - to negate transmission of uncleanliness - were typically of stone.
Rabbinical commentary
Ezekiel records the general rebellion of the children of Israel against God (Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal to Ezekiel chap. 2). Rabbinic commentators understood this general rebellion as referring to that of JeroboamJeroboam
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern Israelite Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam that put an end to the United Monarchy....
and the Ten Tribes against the Kingdom of David and the priesthood of Zadok. A number of commentators point out that at the time of a popular rebellion the true adherents to the king stand firm in their commitment of support to the king, and once the rebellions subsides the king comes forth the reward his unwavering supporters. As recognition for not participating in idol worship and for actively and publicly sanctifying God's holy name
Kiddush Hashem
The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name (in Hebrew kiddush Hashem is a precept of Judaism. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.-Hebrew Bible:...
, the sons of Zadok where granted numerous benefits in the Third Temple(Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal to Malachi
Malachi
Malachi, Malachias or Mal'achi was a Jewish prophet in the Hebrew Bible. He had two brothers, Nathaniel and Josiah. Malachi was the writer of the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Neviim section in the Jewish Tanakh...
3:3). Asher ben Jehiel
Asher ben Jehiel
Asher ben Jehiel- Ashkenazi was an eminent rabbi and Talmudist best known for his abstract of Talmudic law. He is often referred to as Rabbenu Asher, “our Rabbi Asher” or by the Hebrew acronym for this title, the ROSH...
in his Torah commentary likens the public actions of the sons of Zadok to those of the Tribe of Levi at the time of the sin of the Golden Calf (Rosh to Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
10:8). In describing the uniqueness of the sons of Zadok, Rabbinic commentators liken their ability to reject Idol worship to that of a person with Medical Immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
against a plague, thus allowing them to function normally while others succumb to its undesirable results.
This specific Kohanic family proved themselves as loyal to the service of Yahweh
Yahweh
Yahweh is the name of God in the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jews and Christians.The word Yahweh is a modern scholarly convention for the Hebrew , transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH and known as the Tetragrammaton, for which the original pronunciation is unknown...
in terms of not submitting to the then popular theme of idol worship - as did the general population of Jerusalem as well as the Kohanim (plural form of 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....
). According to Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 4:5 the period of idol worship initiated from the rebellion of Jeroboam
Jeroboam
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern Israelite Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam that put an end to the United Monarchy....
up until the destruction of the First Temple. According to Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 4:5 the period of idol worship initiated from the rebellion of Jeroboam
Jeroboam
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern Israelite Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam that put an end to the United Monarchy....
up until the destruction of the First Temple.
The book of Ezekiel details that the family line of priests, sons of Zadok, will execute the primary services in the Third Temple, that is the services of the altar of the burnt-offering. According to Oral Torah
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
, the choosing and appointing of the high priest depends on the appointee being a descendant of Zadok, in the Midrash ha-Gadol
Midrash ha-Gadol
Midrash HaGadol or The Great Midrash is an anonymous late compilation of aggadic midrashim on the Pentateuch taken from the two Talmuds and earlier Midrashim. In addition, it borrows quotations from the Targums and Kabbalistic writings , and in this aspect is unique among the various midrashic...
to Genesiu 6:4 et al. As well, the Jewish establishment of the Second Temple
Second 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...
upon return from Babylonian captivity
Babylonian captivity
The Babylonian captivity was the period in Jewish history during which the Jews of the ancient Kingdom of Judah were captives in Babylon—conventionally 587–538 BCE....
included this specific prerequisite of the high priest being of Zadokite descent, according to Rashi
Rashi
Shlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
.
The Jewish liturgist Shmuel HaNagid
Samuel ibn Naghrela
Samuel ibn Naghrela , also known as Samuel HaNagid , , was a Talmudic scholar, grammarian, philologist, poet, warrior, and statesman, who lived in Iberia at the time of the Moorish rule....
wove the timely actions of the sons of Zadok into his composition;
Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal comments that unlike the sons of Zadok who did not submit to idol worship the other priests who served idols are not eligible to service the altar of burnt offering but only other services, such as song service. In regards to terumah
Terumah
Terumah is a Hebrew word, originally meaning lifted apart, but meaning donation in modern Hebrew. It can refer to:*Heave offerings - a type of sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible...
and kodesh (sacrificial) consumption, those priests will be eligible in the future Third Temple.
As high priests
Rabbinic commentators on the haftarahHaftarah
The haftarah or haftoroh is a series of selections from the books of Nevi'im of the Hebrew Bible that is publicly read in synagogue as part of Jewish religious practice...
of the Sabbath Torah reading of Emor, the 8th Section of Leviticus
Emor
Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the eighth in the book of Leviticus. It constitutes Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in late April or early May...
, that discusses the sons of Zadok, Ahavath Yonathan, Jonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz , was a Talmudist, Halachist, Kabbalist, holding positions as Dayan of Prague, and later as Rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. With Jacob Emden, he is well known as a protagonist in the Emden-Eybeschütz Controversy.-Biography:Eybeschütz's father was...
, Isaac Abrabanel
Isaac Abrabanel
Isaac ben Judah Abrabanel, , commonly referred to just as Abarbanel, was a Portuguese Jewish statesman, philosopher, Bible commentator, and financier.-Biography:...
, Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal, note that the status of the sons of Zadok after the coming of the Messiah will be that of "semi" high priests.
One similarity shared by the High Priest and the Sons of Zadok is the instance that the Law prohibiting the High Priest from defiling himself by contact with a dead family member lists the father before listing the mother. This same sequence is followed regarding the sons of Zadok as opposed the standard priest, where the mother is listed first, the former listed in Parshat Emor
Emor
Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the eighth in the book of Leviticus. It constitutes Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in late April or early May...
in Leviticus and the latter in the Haftarah to Parshat Emor
Emor
Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the eighth in the book of Leviticus. It constitutes Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in late April or early May...
.
Categorization of the sons of Zadok as quasi-High-Priests is not purported to discount the notion of one of the sons of Zadok being singled out for role as full high priest. Such, there is Rabbinic documentary that describe the future high priest from the sons of Zadok as having certain priorities, or at least being equal to the future Jewish Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
King. (Torah study
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
to Samuel 1 2:37)
Initial sacrifice offering
From the detail listed in Ezekiel regarding the future inauguration by the sons of Zadok of the altar of burnt offering in the Third Temple, the type of animal listed is a bull (Ezekiel 43:19), the animal typically reserved as a sacrifice of the high priest.Primary obligations
The sons of Zadok are noted by Ezekiel as acting on the primary services in the Third Temple, mainly the handling and sacrificing of fat and blood of sacrifices and organizing the showbreadShowbread
Showbread , in the King James Version: shewbread, in a biblical or Jewish context, refers to the cakes or loaves of bread which were always present on a specially dedicated table, in the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God...
.
Kabbalic analysis
Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz , was a Talmudist, Halachist, Kabbalist, holding positions as Dayan of Prague, and later as Rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. With Jacob Emden, he is well known as a protagonist in the Emden-Eybeschütz Controversy.-Biography:Eybeschütz's father was...
explains the prophetic choosing of the words "fat and blood" to describe the sons of Zadok's actions as symbolizing the union of spirituality and physicality, as opposed to using the word mincha (offering) which usually connotes a vegetable offering. Additionally, the choice of the words "they will come close to my table to serve me," noting that the table is placed to the North side of the Temple, symbolizes monetary control (as per common Kaballah teaching that north is synonymous with monetary issue) without concern of the sons of Zadok falling to temptation of Bribery and similar monetary injustices (Ahavath Yonathan to Haftarah Emor reading in Leviticus).
Garments of linen
The sons of Zadok are instructed to don priestly clothing exclusively made of linenLinen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
when performing Temple service, and to refrain entirely from using wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, commonly used in the standard priestly sash
Avnet (kohen)
-Hebrew Bible:The priestly sash or girdle was part of the ritual garments worn by the Jewish and priests of ancient Israel whenever they served in the Tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem....
.
.
Commentators write that wearing clothing exclusively linen is considered haughty and showy, therefore the sons of Zadok are permitted to wear clothes of wool when going out to mingle with the nation. As an additional explanation to refraining from wool during service in the inner court is due to the nature of sheep to graze in any field they find -even one that the owner does not specifically give permission to (i.e. theft), whereas linen -as a crop- grows where the sustenance-source of the crop is taken by and with the will of the field owner.
Kabbalic rational
Some Mekubalim (teachers of Kabbala) reason that the spiritual source of the Sons of Zadok is that of the sitra of Cain (In the Kabbalah Cain's soul belongs to the Sitra Ahara, the demonic side), and therefore are instructed to don linen for the temple service -as it was the fruit of the linen crop that Cain chose to sacrifice to God.Marriage prohibitions
Ezekiel 44 prohibits "priests, Levites, sons of Zadok" from certain marriages;The stipulation that a priest is forbidden from marrying a divorcee is already known from Leviticus 21:1-24:23. However, the inclusion of forbidding a widow, which was usually permitted to a priest if not the high priest, is a subject of Rabbinic debate. The Talmud Bavli reads that the earlier part of Ezekiel 44 relates to the sons of Zadok, whereas 44:22 relates to priests who are not of Zadokite descent, meaning that the Zadokites, like the high priest, were forbidden from marrying a widow (B.Kiddushin 78b). This explanation is echoed by the Malbim
Malbim
Meïr Leibush ben Jehiel Michel Weiser , better known by the acronym Malbim , was a rabbi, Hebrew grammar master, and Bible commentator....
, Jonathan Eibshitz, and other commentators who see the future status of the sons of Zadok in a Third Temple as quasi-high priests.
Reasoning
Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz , was a Talmudist, Halachist, Kabbalist, holding positions as Dayan of Prague, and later as Rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. With Jacob Emden, he is well known as a protagonist in the Emden-Eybeschütz Controversy.-Biography:Eybeschütz's father was...
explains that the widow of a priest is instructed by Ezekiel to marry another priest so as not be demoted from eating terumah
Terumah
Terumah is a Hebrew word, originally meaning lifted apart, but meaning donation in modern Hebrew. It can refer to:*Heave offerings - a type of sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible...
, but she is nonetheless forbidden from marrying the sons of Zadok. Along with his view, others explain that since the sons of Zadok are ordered by Ezekiel to be active in the Torah instruction of the Kohanim
The Torah instruction of the Kohanim
The Torah instruction of the Kohanim is an expression used to define Torah instruction and its directives as articulated by the Kohanim....
, the need to have a positive public image is crucial and marrying a widow may cause gossip and rumor that the Zadokite priest had transgressed forbidden relationships in Judaism
Forbidden relationships in Judaism
Forbidden relationships in Judaism are those intimate relationships which are forbidden by prohibitions in the Torah and also by rabbinical injunctions. Some of these prohibitions - those listed in Leviticus 18, known as - are considered such a serious transgression of Jewish law that one must...
Similarly, there is the concern that the widow of a non-priest was initially a divorcee, and over time this fact was forgotten, whereas the widow of a priest is likely not a divorcee since all priests are forbidden from marrying divorcees. Jonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz , was a Talmudist, Halachist, Kabbalist, holding positions as Dayan of Prague, and later as Rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbek. With Jacob Emden, he is well known as a protagonist in the Emden-Eybeschütz Controversy.-Biography:Eybeschütz's father was...
also reasons is the marital life quality with a widow is not one of full tranquility. As well, the wording of Ezekiel directs the Zadokite priest to marry a virgin, as he is to maintain a disposition of peace. Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal favors the initial marriage of the sons of Zadok with the daughter of a priest.
Alternative interpretation
Others understand the ending part of the verse to concern the the Sons of Zadok as well (i.e. a Son of Zadok is permitted to marry the widow of another priest). The Chasam Sofer reasons that only the widow of the priest is permitted to the ons of Zadok since the purity (marital integrity) level of the former wife of a priest is of greater quality than that of the standard daughter of Israel. Along this style of reasoning, others explain that the turmoil of the Jewish diasporaJewish diaspora
The Jewish diaspora is the English term used to describe the Galut גלות , or 'exile', of the Jews from the region of the Kingdom of Judah and Roman Iudaea and later emigration from wider Eretz Israel....
is cause for loss of marital integrity amongst the greater Jewish population whereas the Kohanim
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....
are more apt at maintaining an above-average standard of integrity for their spouses -thus the widow of a priest is permitted to the sons of Zadok.
Torah instruction and sanctifying Shabbat
The sons of Zadok are directed to devote themselves to a national theme of Torah instruction;.
Judicial obligations
The appointment of the sons of Zadok to teach the law appears to be redundant to the standard portrayal of the priest as instructor;Other Hebrew Bible verses direct the priest to be judges at Torah law, to be involved with curing skin disease
Tzaraath
The Hebrew noun tzaraath describes a disfigurative condition mainly referred to in chapters 13-14 of Leviticus, as well as conditions equivalent to be "mildew" on clothes and houses.Tzaraath affects both animate...
, the law of the anonymous murder victim (see Shoftim (parsha)
Shoftim (parsha)
Shoftim, Shof'tim, or Shofetim is the 48th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the book of Deuteronomy...
), and Sotah
Sotah
Sotah deals with the ritual of the Sotah - the woman suspected of adultery as described and prescribed in the Book of Numbers in...
justice. Although these items are expounded on by Chazal
Chazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
, there is not an absolute Chazalic directive that requires the Kohanim to busy themselves with monetary justice.
Chaim Yosef David Azulai, based on the writings of Samson ben Pesah Ostropoli
Samson ben Pesah Ostropoli
Samson ben Pesah Ostropoli , was a Polish rabbi from Ostropol who was martyred at Polonnoye, Volhynia, during the Cossacks' Uprising...
, explains that the sons of Zadok are required to commit to judging monetary disputes, and are divinely blessed with an inherent ability to conquer the negative attribute of forgetfulness and to judge truthfully.
Guarding the Sabbath
Commentators explain that the Zadokite priests are told to guard the Sabbath since they are permitted to do certain activities prohibited on Shabbat due to sacrificial activity that override Shabbat in the Temple, there is concern that they may come to do so outside the Temple (Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 44:24). An additional concern is due to their requirement to engage in judicial activity they may transgress Shabbat by writing down item that pertain to law and order. Likewise, there is the need to ascertain the sons of Zadok will not issue a death sentence on the Shabbat.The Mekubalim, Kabbalah mystics, note that in the Messianic era the concept of nightfall and darkness will cease, thus no visual indication of the start of Shabbat will be present (as Shabbat typically begins at sunset), thus the sons of Zadok will be responsible for indicating to the nation of Israel the precise start time of sanctifying Shabbat. Zadok of Lublin writes that the observance of Shabbat by the priests, who are otherwise sustained by The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
The twenty four priestly gifts, are a description in the Gemara tradition of offerings given to the Jewish priests. The adjective "kohanic" means "of a kohen", relating to a Jewish priest....
and do not participate in the national workforce, causes a surplus of kedusha
Kedusha
The Kedushah is traditionally the third section of all Amidah recitations. In the silent Amidah it is a short prayer, but in the repetition, which requires a minyan, it is considerably lengthier...
to the entire nation of Israel and protects them from submitting to evil impulses
Yetzer Hara
In Judaism, yetzer hara , or yetzer ra refers to the inclination to do evil, by violating the will of God. The term is drawn from the phrase "the imagination of the heart of man [is] evil" , which occurs twice in the Hebrew Bible, at Genesis 6:5 and 8:21.The yetzer hara is not a demonic force, but...
.
Apportioned chambers
Due to the sons of Zadok performing the altar of burnt offering services of the Third Temple, a specified chamber is apportioned to them as per the architectural detail laid out by Ezekiel. The verse describes one unique aspect of this chamber (compared to the other chambers) in the aspect that its entry-point faces North (as opposed to the other chambers opening towards South). Torah commantators describe that since the Zadokite priests are given the duties of the altar of burnt offering, therefore their chamber is situated at the South of the ramp leading up to the Mizbeach, with the entry and exit to their chamber facing North, thereby allowing them easy and direct access to this ramp (Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michal on Ezekiel 40:41). The text in Ezekiel does not however, detail the size of this chamber nor describe if it is apportioned to multiple rooms in itself or if it is one large room.Estates in Jerusalem
As per the prophetic vision of Ezekiel regarding the divisions of the Land of IsraelLand of Israel
The Land of Israel is the Biblical name for the territory roughly corresponding to the area encompassed by the Southern Levant, also known as Canaan and Palestine, Promised Land and Holy Land. The belief that the area is a God-given homeland of the Jewish people is based on the narrative of the...
to the Twelve tribes of Israel and to the Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
, the apportioning of a swath of land to the Sons of Zadok around the Temple Mount
Temple Mount
The Temple Mount, known in Hebrew as , and in Arabic as the Haram Ash-Sharif , is one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years...
is mentioned. The measurement of this area is specified as 4,750 kanns (The kann measurement of Ezekiel is described as six amah
Amah
An amah or ayah is a girl or woman employed by a family to clean and look after children etc. It is a domestic servant role which combines functions of maid and nanny. The term, resembling the pronunciation for "mother", is considered as polite and respectful in the Chinese language when it is...
s, with each amah consisting of six tefachs) beginning from the southern end of the Temple Mount heading South and from the opposite edge of the Temple Mount leading North, 12,250 kann
Kann
Kann is an Jewish and Austrian family name, and may refer to* Omslag: Martin Kann, the Swedish band bob hund's second music album* S. Kann Sons Co...
s leading West and likewise to the East. This portion of the sons of Zadok is included in the 25,000 by 25,000 kann
Kann
Kann is an Jewish and Austrian family name, and may refer to* Omslag: Martin Kann, the Swedish band bob hund's second music album* S. Kann Sons Co...
s that are to be given the greater Tribe of Levi with the greater tribe of Levi including Kohanim as well (Ezezkiel chapters 45 and 48).
Identifying Kohens of Zadokite lineage
Rav Hai Gaon, in a letter-document sent to the Priests of DjerbaDjerba
Djerba , also transliterated as Jerba or Jarbah, is, at 514 km², the largest island of North Africa, located in the Gulf of Gabes, off the coast of Tunisia.-Description:...
(see also Beit Knesset Kohanim HaDintreisa
Beit Knesset Kohanim HaDintreisa
The Synagogue of the Priests of Djirt is a synagogue located in Hara Kabira, , the Jewish neighbourhood located on the outskirts of Houmt Souk, on the Tunisian island of Djerba....
), describes multiple personality aspects to be used in identifying genuine Kohanim. Hai Gaon, in his letter, describes the character traits of the Kohanim sons of Zadok as such;
Known priests of Zadokite lineage
Priests in the Hebrew Bible of Zadokite lineage include EzraEzra
Ezra , also called Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra. According to the Hebrew Bible he returned from the Babylonian exile and reintroduced the Torah in Jerusalem...
and his relative Joshua the High Priest
Joshua the High Priest
Joshua the High Priest was, according to the Bible the first person chosen to be the High Priest for the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity The name is also spelled 'Jeshua' in some English versions , and, as with the earlier Joshua, is...
.
Commonly known Rabbinic kohanim of Zadokite lineage include the Tanna
Tannaim
The Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
Eleazar ben Azariah
Eleazar ben Azariah
Eleazar ben Azariah , was a 1st-century CE Palestinian tanna . He was of the second generation and a junior contemporary of Gamaliel II, Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, and Joshua b. Hananiah, and senior of Akiba...
, noted as being of tenth generation lineage to Ezra. The Babylonian Talmud introduces "Rabbi Ezrah the great-grandson of Rabbi Avtulas" as a Kohen of tenth generation from Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah.
Rabbi Rifael Ziskind Katz of Hamburg was likewise known to be a descendant of the biblical Ezra
Ezra
Ezra , also called Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra. According to the Hebrew Bible he returned from the Babylonian exile and reintroduced the Torah in Jerusalem...
, his patrilineal grandsons include HaRav HaNazir
David Cohen (rabbi)
David Cohen was a rabbi, talmudist, philosopher, and kabbalist. A noted Jewish ascetic, he took a Nazirite vow after making aliyah to Israel.-Biography:...
, and modern Rabbinic persona She'ar Yashuv Cohen
She'ar Yashuv Cohen
Eliyahu Yosef She'ar Yashuv Cohen was the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Israel and the President of its rabbinical courts .- Biography :...
and Yoel Kahan
Yoel Kahn
Yoel Kahn, also spelled Kahan, is a senior Chabad rabbi, who served as the leading Choizer and Meiniach for the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He served in this role from the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership in 1950 until his passing in 1994. Today he continues to...
.
Rabbinic literature indicates that there were numerous priestly families of Zadokite lineage - amongst them David HaKohain Bar Isha, who upon the Spanish expulsion in 1492, emigrated to the town of Debdou
Debdou
Debdou is a town in Morocco. It is known for its multi-ethnic population, including Moroccan Arabs, Jews and Berbers.-Jewish centre:Debdou was a major Jewish centre in Morocco. The town was founded by Sephardic Jews from Seville, fleeing the wave of anti-Jewish riots in Spain in 1391...
in Morroco - a town purported to have consisted of a large population of priests.