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Kohanim Not Becoming Tameh: Difference between revisions
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###One can plan to take the corpse out one exit and then only that exit is tamay and the kohen can be by any other exit.<ref>Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 371:22 quoting from Mishna Ohalos 7:3</ref> | ###One can plan to take the corpse out one exit and then only that exit is tamay and the kohen can be by any other exit.<ref>Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 371:22 quoting from Mishna Ohalos 7:3</ref> | ||
#Some allow a kohen to be under the same roof as a non-Jewish corpse, but ideally we try to be strict.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 372:2 says it is proper to be strict and the Rama quotes those who are lenient, but says it is appropriate to be strict. Shach Y.D. 372:4 says that even those who are lenient about tumas ohel, prohibit touching or lifting a non-Jewish corpse. Hagos Maymonios Hilchos Avel 3:2 quotes the Yerayim that a kohen does not have to avoid these forms of tumah by a non-Jewish corpse. </ref> | #Some allow a kohen to be under the same roof as a non-Jewish corpse, but ideally we try to be strict.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 372:2 says it is proper to be strict and the Rama quotes those who are lenient, but says it is appropriate to be strict. Shach Y.D. 372:4 says that even those who are lenient about tumas ohel, prohibit touching or lifting a non-Jewish corpse. Hagos Maymonios Hilchos Avel 3:2 quotes the Yerayim that a kohen does not have to avoid these forms of tumah by a non-Jewish corpse. </ref> | ||
#Ashkenazim allow a kohen to come into contact with metal which has come into contact with a corpse.<ref>Rama Y.D. 369:1 quoting from the Shut HaRashba 1:476 that there is an argument about this point, but we are customarily lenient </ref> | #Ashkenazim allow a kohen to come into contact with metal which has come into contact with a corpse.<ref>Rama Y.D. 369:1 quoting from the Shut HaRashba 1:476 that there is an argument about this point, but we are customarily lenient. Tosfot (Nazir 54b s.v. ta shema) quotes two opinions on this matter. </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> | #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> | ||
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#Some permit a minor kohen from coming into contact with the corpse of a relative,<ref>Vayikra 21:2 says that a kohen is generally allowed to come into contact with the corpse of one of the following seven relatives: spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter.</ref> but others prohibit it.<ref>Pitchay Teshuva Y.D. 373:1 explains that a minor is not obligated in aveilut, so perhaps he is not permitted to come into contact with the corpse. On the other hand, perhaps the chinuch is for when he is older, and he will be able to come into contact with the corpse when he is older.</ref> | #Some permit a minor kohen from coming into contact with the corpse of a relative,<ref>Vayikra 21:2 says that a kohen is generally allowed to come into contact with the corpse of one of the following seven relatives: spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter.</ref> but others prohibit it.<ref>Pitchay Teshuva Y.D. 373:1 explains that a minor is not obligated in aveilut, so perhaps he is not permitted to come into contact with the corpse. On the other hand, perhaps the chinuch is for when he is older, and he will be able to come into contact with the corpse when he is older.</ref> | ||
#A pregnant kohen is allowed to come into contact with a corpse.<ref>Magen Avraham O.C. 343:2 says it is permitted because the baby is absorbed within the mother (tahara belua) | #A pregnant kohen is allowed to come into contact with a corpse.<ref>Magen Avraham O.C. 343:2 says it is permitted because the baby is absorbed within the mother (tahara belua) | ||
Mishna Berura O.C. 343:3 and Shach Y.D. 373:1 quote the Rokeach that it is a double doubt, maybe it is a girl and even if it is a boy, it may be a stillborn. | Mishna Berura O.C. 343:3 and Shach Y.D. 373:1 quote the Rokeach that it is a double doubt, maybe it is a girl and even if it is a boy, it may be a stillborn. Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35:4) quotes Achiezer 3:65:5-6 that tahara belua is not enough to help the kohen. As the prohibition upon a kohen is not simply not to become tamay, but not to come close to a corpse. | ||
Rav Nissan Karalitz (Chut Shani 1 at the end of the sefer 4) says you don't need to find out the gender as Pitchay Teshuva Y.D. 110:35 that if you can only solve one doubt, then there is no obligation to do so.</ref> | Rav Nissan Karalitz (Chut Shani 1 at the end of the sefer 4) says you don't need to find out the gender as Pitchay Teshuva Y.D. 110:35 that if you can only solve one doubt, then there is no obligation to do so.</ref> | ||
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#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> | #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. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:155) says that nobody has the ability anymore to say we can follow the opinion of the Raavad. 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 (''mosif tumah al tumato'').<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. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe Y.D. 3:155) says that nobody has the ability anymore to say we can follow the opinion of the Raavad. 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. Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35:3) says the Raavad only means that one can continue to come into contact with a corpse that day as there is no delay in the purification process</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. | #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. Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35) notes that this idea of Rav Moshe is not agreed upon. Additionally, he notes that a plane while flying would be considered an [[#Blocking Tumah of Corpse| ohel zaruk]] and would not block tumah.</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. | |||
Rav | Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35:1) notes that once the plane is above the clouds, there is no issue of flying over a grave as the language of chazal (Mishna Ohalot Perek 9) is that tumat meit goes up until the sky. Once you are above the clouds, there is no issue as you are out of range of the tumah. Even when the plane is below the clouds, Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon Siman 35:11) suggests there is no prohibition. He explains that the problem isn't the tumah per-say, but coming close to a corpse. When one is flying on a plane, and there is a corpse below, even though the kohen may become tamay, he did not come close to the corpse, so it is permitted. This idea is seen in Avhiezer 3:65:5-6 and Rav Elchanan Wasserman (Kovetz Shearim 2:41).</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> | #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. | ||
Rav Schachter (Ikvay Hatzon 35:10 and Peninay HaRav 256) quotes those that suggest a kohen can go to medical school using the following idea. A kohen can hold onto a metal object that came into contact with a corpse, and while still holding onto this object, he can touch a corpse.</ref> | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
