The Torah instruction of the Kohanim

In Judaism, the instructions of the priests (Hebrew: תורת כהנים torat kohanim) are the rulings and teachings of the priests that are addressed to the Jewish people.^[1]^[2] Numerous Biblical passages attest to the role of the priests in teaching Torah to the people and in issuing judgment. Later rabbinic statements elaborate on these roles. However, the priest's religious authority is not automatic: even a mamzer who is a scholar takes precedence over an ignorant Kohen Gadol.^[3]

The term torat kohanim is also used specifically as a title for the book of Leviticus,^[4]^[5] or for the Sifra (a work of halakhic midrash to Leviticus).^[6]

^ Reuven Hammer Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion 2009 Page 143 "Yet although it contains instructions for the priests, it is not intended solely for them. Rather it should be understood as a book of "Instruction by the Priests," ie, the concepts that the kohanim want to impart to the people."
^ Nahum M. Sarna, Chaim Potok, The JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus Jewish Publication Society 1989 "But torat kohanim can also be translated as "instructions of (or by) the priests," that is, the rulings and teachings of the priests that are addressed to the Israelite people. As Jeremiah put it (18:18): "For instruction (torah) ..."
^ Mishnah Horayot 3:8
^ Sorel Goldberg Loeb, Barbara Binder Kadden Teaching Torah: a treasury of insights and activities 1997 Page 163 "This book has also been referred to as "Torat Kohanim" - the Priestly Manual, as it contains explicit directions for the priests, all of whom are members of the tribe of Levi and entrusted with carrying out the ritual of the sacrificial ..."
^ David J. Zucker The Torah: an introduction for Christians and Jews 2005 Page 115 "In the Talmudic period, the rabbis referred to Leviticus as the Priests Manual, Torat Kohanim, because it is devoted to the proper application of religious practices, the rituals of ancient Israelite society."
^ Kiddushin 33a; Sanhedrin 103b; Shir Hashirim Rabbah 6:8

[1] Reuven Hammer Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion 2009 Page 143 "Yet although it contains instructions for the priests, it is not intended solely for them. Rather it should be understood as a book of "Instruction by the Priests," ie, the concepts that the kohanim want to impart to the people."

[2] Nahum M. Sarna, Chaim Potok, The JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus Jewish Publication Society 1989 "But torat kohanim can also be translated as "instructions of (or by) the priests," that is, the rulings and teachings of the priests that are addressed to the Israelite people. As Jeremiah put it (18:18): "For instruction (torah) ..."

[3] Mishnah Horayot 3:8

[4] Sorel Goldberg Loeb, Barbara Binder Kadden Teaching Torah: a treasury of insights and activities 1997 Page 163 "This book has also been referred to as "Torat Kohanim" - the Priestly Manual, as it contains explicit directions for the priests, all of whom are members of the tribe of Levi and entrusted with carrying out the ritual of the sacrificial ..."

[5] David J. Zucker The Torah: an introduction for Christians and Jews 2005 Page 115 "In the Talmudic period, the rabbis referred to Leviticus as the Priests Manual, Torat Kohanim, because it is devoted to the proper application of religious practices, the rituals of ancient Israelite society."

[6] Kiddushin 33a; Sanhedrin 103b; Shir Hashirim Rabbah 6:8

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