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Kohanim Not Becoming Tameh: Difference between revisions
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#Sefardim do not allow a kohen to be under the same roof as a ''goses.''<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 370:1. Shach Y.D. 370:4 says this is not as serious as an actual corpse, but notes that others disagree</ref> Ashkenazim agree that this should be avoided , but strictly it is permitted.<ref>Rama Y.D. 370:1</ref> | #Sefardim do not allow a kohen to be under the same roof as a ''goses.''<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 370:1. Shach Y.D. 370:4 says this is not as serious as an actual corpse, but notes that others disagree</ref> Ashkenazim agree that this should be avoided , but strictly it is permitted.<ref>Rama Y.D. 370:1</ref> | ||
##If there is a chance the kohen can save the person, then he should come to help.<ref>Pischay Teshuva Y.D. 370:1 quotes the Teshuvot Beis Yaakov who is strict, but strongly disagrees</ref> | ##If there is a chance the kohen can save the person, then he should come to help.<ref>Pischay Teshuva Y.D. 370:1 quotes the Teshuvot Beis Yaakov who is strict, but strongly disagrees</ref> | ||
#In cases of a pressing need, a kohen is allowed to visit someone who is sick in the hospital outside of Israel.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:166) says we can follow the majority that any corpse or limbs will be of a non-Jew which strictly speaking are not mitamay b'ohel. However, he notes that you should try and find out if there are any Jewish corpses at the time as that would be a problem.</ref> | #In cases of a pressing need, a kohen is allowed to visit someone who is sick in the hospital outside of Israel.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:166) says we can follow the majority that any corpse or limbs will be of a non-Jew which strictly speaking are not mitamay b'ohel. However, he notes that you should try and find out if there are any Jewish corpses at the time as that would be a problem. See also Chelkat Yaakov, YD 215.</ref> | ||
#A kohen is permitted to live outside the land of Israel.<ref>The Gemora Shabbat 15a tells us that Shimon ben Shetach decreed that outside the land of Israel has the status of tumas meis. The Shach Y.D. 369:2 and Taz Y.D. 369:4 suggest that this is a stringency that doesn't apply nowadays as the laws of tumah and tahara are not practiced. Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Y.D. 369 :1 s.v. v'chol) explains there is room to be lenient as this tumah is only Rabbinic in nature. Additionally, he suggests (s.v. HaKohen) that kohanim are relying on the minority opinion of the Ravaad that there is no issue for a Kohen to come into contact with a corpse if he is already tamay.</ref> | #A kohen is permitted to live outside the land of Israel.<ref>The Gemora Shabbat 15a tells us that Shimon ben Shetach decreed that outside the land of Israel has the status of tumas meis. The Shach Y.D. 369:2 and Taz Y.D. 369:4 suggest that this is a stringency that doesn't apply nowadays as the laws of tumah and tahara are not practiced. Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Y.D. 369 :1 s.v. v'chol) explains there is room to be lenient as this tumah is only Rabbinic in nature. Additionally, he suggests (s.v. HaKohen) that kohanim are relying on the minority opinion of the Ravaad that there is no issue for a Kohen to come into contact with a corpse if he is already tamay.</ref> | ||
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#A kohen has a mitzvah to become tamay to his relatives.<ref>Rambam Hilchos Aveilut 2:6</ref> | #A kohen has a mitzvah to become tamay to his relatives.<ref>Rambam Hilchos Aveilut 2:6</ref> | ||
#Some limit coming in contact with the corpse to when you are helping with the burial,<ref>Rama Y.D. 373:5 says one should be strict about this matter</ref> but others do not limit the kohen from contact with the corpse of the relative at all.<ref>Shach in Nekudas Hakesef 373:5 </ref> | #Some limit coming in contact with the corpse to when you are helping with the burial,<ref>Rama Y.D. 373:5 says one should be strict about this matter. Accordingly, Shevet HaLevi 9:251 says if it is possible when taking a corpse to Israel, a kohen should fly on a different flight then his deceased relative.</ref> but others do not limit the kohen from contact with the corpse of the relative at all.<ref>Shach in Nekudas Hakesef 373:5. Accordingly, Chazon Ovadia, Aveilut, vol. 2, p. 51. allows a kohen can accompany the body of a relative on the plane for burial in Israel. </ref> | ||
##A kohen must be careful when burying his relative not to come into contact with or under the same roof as other graves.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 373:7 suggests having kohanim buried at the edge of a cemetery. </ref> For Ashkenazim this is limited to on the way out of the cemetery, but while a kohen is dealing with the burial of the corpse of a relative, he may come into contact with other corpses.<ref>Rama Y.D. 373:7. If this was not arranged, and a kohen's relative is being buried among other graves in a way that the kohen will have to become tamay after burying his relative, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 1:249) allows the kohen to attend the burial. </ref> | ##A kohen must be careful when burying his relative not to come into contact with or under the same roof as other graves.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 373:7 suggests having kohanim buried at the edge of a cemetery. </ref> For Ashkenazim this is limited to on the way out of the cemetery, but while a kohen is dealing with the burial of the corpse of a relative, he may come into contact with other corpses.<ref>Rama Y.D. 373:7. If this was not arranged, and a kohen's relative is being buried among other graves in a way that the kohen will have to become tamay after burying his relative, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 1:249) allows the kohen to attend the burial. </ref> | ||
#A kohen who is in contact with a corpse can come into contact with another corpse.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Nezeirut 5:17. The Raavad argues that the same is true even if the kohen is still tamay and no longer in contact with a corpse. Therefore, nowadays, when all kohanim are tamay, there is no issue coming in contact with a corpse. Pitchay Teshuva 372:9 says that we don't follow the Raavad. Additionally, he adds that the Raavad may just mean that there is no punishment, but it is still prohibited for a tamay kohen to come in contact with a corpse.</ref> | #A kohen who is in contact with a corpse can come into contact with another corpse.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Nezeirut 5:17. The Raavad argues that the same is true even if the kohen is still tamay and no longer in contact with a corpse. Therefore, nowadays, when all kohanim are tamay, there is no issue coming in contact with a corpse. Pitchay Teshuva 372:9 says that we don't follow the Raavad. Additionally, he adds that the Raavad may just mean that there is no punishment, but it is still prohibited for a tamay kohen to come in contact with a corpse.</ref> | ||
==Air Travel== | ==Air Travel== | ||
# Some prohibit a kohen from flying on a plane with a corpse in the baggage compartment.<ref>Igrot Moshe, YD 2:164; Chelkat Yaakov YD 213; Teshuvot V’hanhagot 1:678. See also Teshuvot V’hanhagot 3:347.</ref> Other authorities are lenient,<ref>Shema Shlomo, YD 6:18:5.</ref> especially in extenuating circumstances.<ref>Teshuvot V’hanhagot 2:569; She’arim Metzuyanim B’halacha 202:8; V’harim Hacohen 3:63. See also Even Yisrael 9:124.</ref> | |||
See [[Kohanim_Flying_on_a_Plane#Kohanim:_Air_Travel]] | See [[Kohanim_Flying_on_a_Plane#Kohanim:_Air_Travel]] | ||
