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Home > Questions and Answers
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| Questions and Answers |
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Rabbi,
As a non-observant Jew, married to a non-Jew, I doubt we would be comfortable in that environment.
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Posted by:
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As a branch of the Chabad movement, we are following the Lubavither Rebbe's way, of a open house for any Jew, with out any selections. That way I am 100% sure, you will be really enjoying the environment of our community. |
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| Mitzvot |
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I have a friend who is a Cohen. He is trying to find out what specific mitzvot are applicable to him as a cohen in modern life. He wants to bear witness to G-d in his daily life as a cohen but doesn't know how.
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Posted by:
Shmuliq Parzal, Lincoln, England
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Dear Shmuliq, shalom!
In regards to your question:
First we must find out the essence of being a Cohen. Cohen = servant, meaning that the role of the Cohen is to give himself entirely to the service of G-d. This is why the Rambam writes that anyone who leaves the ways of this world and commits himself to the work of G-D is to be considered a Cohen.
Specifically speaking, most of the commandments related uniquely to the Cohen, such as working in the temple etc, are not relevant today. But still, there are several commandments which are still practiced today
1. The Cohen must avoid the impurity of the dead and cannot for example go into a cemetery.
2. The Cohen performs the special "Cohen Blessing" in the synagogue (in Israel every day/week, Abroad on holidays only)
3. The people must honor the Cohen to be first in everything such as reading of the Torah reciting of blessings etc.
4. A Cohen must not marry a divorced woman.
5. The Cohen must perform the "redemption of the first born" ceremony on every first born male 30 days after he is born
The most significant aspect of the Cohen in our age of time is preparing to work in the third Holy Temple, soon to be built by the Rabbi King Moshiach. At the moment of redemption the Cohen must immediately start working in the Temple. |
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