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Kohanim Not Becoming Tameh: Difference between revisions

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#A closed door is considered a permanent blockage of tumah.<ref>Rav Hershel Schachter ([https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/810180/rabbi-hershel-schachter/shiur-77-shabbos-ohel-zaruk/ Shabbat Shiur 77 min 6]) explained that a door which has a crack underneath the door tumah can travel from the room to the hallway through tumat ohel since the door isn't always closed. Neeyim Zemirot p. 49 writes that a door can be a stimah olamit but if it is metal there's room to be machmir since it is mekabel tumah. Avnei Nezer OC 293:7 holds that a door is a stimah forever but struggles to prove this. Taharat Hakohanim 371:14 quotes the Avnei Nezer as primary.  
#A closed door is considered a permanent blockage of tumah.<ref>Rav Hershel Schachter ([https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/810180/rabbi-hershel-schachter/shiur-77-shabbos-ohel-zaruk/ Shabbat Shiur 77 min 6]) explained that a door which has a crack underneath the door tumah can travel from the room to the hallway through tumat ohel since the door isn't always closed. Neeyim Zemirot p. 49 writes that a door can be a stimah olamit but if it is metal there's room to be machmir since it is mekabel tumah. Avnei Nezer OC 293:7 holds that a door is a stimah forever but struggles to prove this. Taharat Hakohanim 371:14 quotes the Avnei Nezer as primary.  
Taz Y.D. 371:3 suggests that doors cannot block tumah as they are only able to stand because of their metal hinges which are mekabel tumah. However the Shach (Nekudos HaKesef) strongly disagrees as he views the doors and hinges as one unit and therefore, they can block tumah.</ref>
Taz Y.D. 371:3 suggests that doors cannot block tumah as they are only able to stand because of their metal hinges which are mekabel tumah. However the Shach (Nekudos HaKesef) strongly disagrees as he views the doors and hinges as one unit and therefore, they can block tumah.</ref>
#If something that would usually block tumah is flying through the air, it is unable to block the tumah.<ref>Tosfos Eiruvin 30b s.v. Umar. Rambam Hilchot Tumat Meit 11:5. The Magid Mishna Hilchot Eiruvin 6:17 quotes the Rashba who seems to say that in certain cases it would still be considered an ohel and capable of blocking tumah. This is based on the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda (Mishna Eiruvin 26b - 27a) that a kohen can have his eiruv in a cemetery. Rashi 27a s.v. lchutz says this means he can be carried into the cemetery in a box or brought in a wagon.</ref>
#If something that would usually block tumah is flying through the air (''ohel zaruk''), it is unable to block the tumah.<ref>Tosfos Eiruvin 30b s.v. Umar. Rambam Hilchot Tumat Meit 11:5. The Magid Mishna Hilchot Eiruvin 6:17 quotes the Rashba who seems to say that in certain cases it would still be considered an ohel and capable of blocking tumah. This is based on the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda (Mishna Eiruvin 26b - 27a) that a kohen can have his eiruv in a cemetery. Rashi 27a s.v. lchutz says this means he can be carried into the cemetery in a box or brought in a wagon.</ref>


==Alerting a Kohen of Tumah==
==Alerting a Kohen of Tumah==
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#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.
#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.


Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:164) says that if planes are not made one of the six metals mentioned in the Torah (Bamidbar 32:22), the baggage section would block tumah from spreading to the passengers on the plane.</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>
Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 2:164) says that if planes are not made one of the six metals mentioned in the Torah (Bamidbar 32:22), the baggage section would block tumah from spreading to the passengers on the plane. Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35) notes that this idea of Rav Moshe is not agreed upon. Additionally, he notes that a plane would be considered an ohel zaruk.</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>
#A Kohen need not worry that his flight might fly over cemeteries.<ref>Chelkat Yaakov, YD 209–12.</ref>
#A Kohen need not worry that his flight might fly over cemeteries.<ref>Chelkat Yaakov, YD 209–12.</ref>


==Medical School==
==Medical School==
# A kohen is not allowed to attend medical school.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:155) says that in medical school you are faced with being in the same room and often forced to touch a cadaver which is a problem for kohanim. He rejects the idea that kohanim nowadays are tamay, so there is no issue to continue to come into contact with a corpse. Additionally,  a life threatening situation requires one to help in anyway that he can, but does not require him to go and learn medicine, so that he can help in the future. Plus, there are many other doctors and there is no need for the kohen to become a doctor.</ref>


==Links==
==Links==