Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Wash Your Hands And Feet

Rashi (30:19) explains the kohanim must wash their hands and feet before doing avodah in the mikdash.  It seems if a kohan would enter the mikdash without doing avodah he wouldn’t have to wash himself.  That is the opinion of the Ramban (sefer hamitvot) and in his commentary to Vayikra 10:9.  This is the opinion of Tosfos in Sanhedrin 83a as well.   However, the Chinuch and Tosfos Yoma 5b hold the kohan is obligated to wash his hands and feet even if he doesn’t do avodah.  The Rash Kelim (1:9) brings both opinions.  Clearly, they are debating if the requirement to wash the hands and feet is a requirement for the avodah (either for the avodah or to make the kohan fit for the avodah – see Rav Leeb Malen volume 2 #11,) or it’s a requirement for the mikdash, one can’t enter the mikdash without being properly cleansed.

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