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IN-DEPTH FEATURES
"An Organization that Addresses the Unique Issues of Modern
Cohanim"
A special flight from the U.S. to Israel, kosher for Cohanim
* Access to hospitals for Cohanim * Roads and highways
forbidden to Cohanim * A talk with the head of the
International "Vaad Hacohanim" - The Committee for the
Preservation of the Purity of Cohanim *
The background: The more complex modern life becomes, the
more intricate and involved are the halachic questions which
face cohanim. These are partly miderabbonon,
some involve aspects of laws mide'Orayso — all
the way to absolute prohibitions from the Torah. Editor's
Note: We have used both "c" and "k" in writing the various
words since there is no established usage.
A few years ago, a group of enterprising kohanim
decided to establish a body, a union, as it were, which they
called, Iggud Taharas Hacohanim. Ever since its
founding, those involved have the feeling that there is a
receptiveness among the public at large and a willingness
from large groups to come to the aid and serve the needs of
cohanim.
Recently, this organization merged with a similar one based
in the U.S. called Vaad Mishmeres Kehunah. Among the
founders abroad were/are cohanim Torah leaders such as
R' Avrohom Yaakov Pam zt'l, R' Avigdor Miller,zt'l,
and ylct"a, R' Yechezkel Roth, R' Shlomo Gross and R'
Osher Anshel Katz. The members of the World Committee Beis
Din for Kohanim, in Eretz Yisroel are: Hageonim shlita
R' Boruch Shmuel Deutsch, R' Shlomo Kahn, R' Nosson Kopshits;
and abroad: R' Shlomo Gross, R' Osher Anshel Katz (the rov of
the Vienna community). Working in tandem with the Committee
is an active beis horo'oh in Jerusalem, which
addresses halachic questions related to cehunah from
all over the world.
To prepare this article, we met in the home of HaRav Boruch
Shmuel Deutsch, a member of the rabbinical board of this
organization, together with HaRav R' Dovid Cohen Munk, the
man behind the organization and a member of the rabbinical
board of the Beis Horo'oh leCohanim.
Q. What is the ultimate purpose of this union of
kohanim? Why was it founded?
The purposes are manifold: to rouse the tribe of
kohanim to the laws pertaining to their status; to
clarify the state of affairs in the modern world with regard
to these laws; to provide a halachic body to answer the
various questions that arise regarding individual cases and
circumstances. The underlying function is to assure that
kohanim be constantly on guard against violations of
their sanctity and purity.
Halachically speaking, the tribe of kohanim are an
elite stratum, the most prestigious of our people. The Ibn
Ezra states that the commandment of "vekidashto" (you
shall sanctify him) that is said about Kohanim applies to
thought and speech as well as to action. There are many areas
where this tribe is especially commanded to maintain purity
and isolate itself from possible violation of laws
mide'Orayso. Due to ignorance, however, many
kohanim unfortunately transgress severe laws.
It should be stressed here that the commandment of
"vekidashto" refers precisely to Israelites, who
should sanctify this priestly tribe.
An important aspect of this vigil is clarification of the
actual state of things, of the situation as it is today,
where there is wholesale desecration and violation and very
common stumbling blocks and obstacles. The moment the facts
become public and the need for vigil and amendment becomes
known, these problems can begin to be properly and adequately
addressed.
Q.Can you give an example of an improvement that was
instituted?
The Ben Gurion airport. A new terminal was completed a year
and a half ago. Huge sums were invested in its planning,
trying to consider every detail.
At an advanced stage of the construction, the Taharas Kohanim
Organization learned that the halachic needs of
kohanim had not been taken into account, especially
since many deceased are being transported for burial in Eretz
Yisroel. The organization's rabbis tackled this problem to
make the necessary changes.
They went to Maran HaRav Eliashiv shlita and laid the
problem before him. At one point, it seemed as if there was
no way that kohanim would be permitted to be present
at all, in the entire precinct of the terminal. In the end
however, the matter was arranged.
This is only one example of how a staunch stand upon
principles and a consistent vigil and effort can produce the
proper results in negotiating with the authorities.
An additional instance connected with flight: Our
organization has toiled a long time to arrange for the flight
from the U.S. to be permissible for kohanim, without
any human remains in the cargo. The community of
kohanim had to bear considerable expenses as a result
of changes in flights and alternate flights. We were able to
organize one flight per day leaving New York for Israel in
the afternoon which, kohanim knew, would be kosher for
them.
When HaRav Shmuel Halevi Wosner learned of this arrangement,
he was overjoyed and repeatedly said, "This is a day of good
tidings!" and blessed all those who had been involved in
achieving this milestone. It is to be noted that the rabbi of
the airport, R' Almaliach, and the rabbi of El Al, R'
Avshalom Katzir, were instrumental in making it possible.
It is also noteworthy to mention how important it is to have
a comprehensive knowledge of the laws involved. A question
arose regarding a road on the eastern flank of the Har
Habayis that is used by the Egged buses to the Kosel. For a
long time kohanim refrained from using those bus lines
because of the problems involved. The question reached HaRav
Eliashiv, who studied the matter and said that it was
completely permissible for them to travel this road. The
sidewalk facing Har Hazeisim, however, is forbidden territory
for kohanim.
Q. In what area in particular do problems arise?
Actually, on many fronts. But the most prevalent is in
medicine and hospitals. To be sure, when it is a matter of
pikuach nefesh there is no question. In fact, "whoever
asks is considered as spilling blood."
But there are certain tests that do not enter the category of
pikuach nefesh, for instance after surgery. These can
be made outside the hospital, but are very costly when they
are done that way. In the hospital, there is coverage from
Kupat Cholim. In such cases, the patient must ask a reliable
posek what to do.
In a large conference held last year in which hundreds of
kohanim participated, HaRav Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshivas
Chevron, told how he had to undergo a certain test which, if
done in Shaarei Zedek, would not cost him anything. Maran
HaRav Eliashiv told him to bear the expense of having the
test done in a private laboratory and not to enter the
hospital.
A major principle in making hospitals "kohanim-
friendly" is to isolate different components as much as
possible. That way the tumah in one part does not
spread. It is especially important to isolate clinics that
serve an outside population — that includes
kohanim on the one hand, and has virtually no problem
of tumah — from the main buildings of the
hospital which experience patient deaths on a regular
basis.
A major hospital in the central part of the country
accommodates a large number of outpatients. It would have
been possible to make this clinic completely separate from
the rest of the hospital, isolating it with double doors.
That would have kept any tumah inside the main
hospital from reaching the clinic and any of its patients who
are kohanim.
In another large hospital, the eye clinic is completely
detached from the main building, yet there is a wide tunnel
connecting it to the main building. This serves as a conduit
for tumah. Double doors at some point would make it
permissible for kohanim to visit this clinic.
Rabbi Munk tells that a kohen approached him and told
him that once his son had required a routine test. He asked
the doctor to come out to them in the hospital parking lot to
do the procedure — and he agreed! It goes to show that
if one tries hard enough, one can succeed.
Rabbi Munk continues to relate that the official rabbi of a
certain hospital once asked him to investigate the
kashrus of the hospital where he worked, vis-a-vis
kohanim, since he was not particularly knowledgeable
about those intricate laws. "We traveled there and discovered
that all of the hospital's different wings were covered by
one huge outside roof, which meant that any tumah in
one wing automatically spread to the others."
HaRav S. Deutsch tells the story of a man who suffered from
an acute, painful ingrown toenail for many years. The doctor
treating him insisted on seeing him on the hospital premises
but the patient, a kohen, refused. Eventually, he had
the procedure done privately.
They tell us that one of the members of the organization, R'
Yochonon Lombard, is not a kohen, but is nonetheless
extremely learned in the pertinent halochos. This
makes him very helpful in being able to visit problematic
sites without personal risk, and determining their status for
kohanim.
Q.How can a solution be found on this subject?
HaRav S. Deutsch says: The better known this issue becomes,
the more general awareness there is generated on this topic
and the easier it will be to address the issues. The general
opinion is that the priestly tribe, the kohanim, are
not numerous. And yet we saw that last year when we held a
convention it was attended by many hundreds.
Incidentally, this convention was graced, among others, by
the presence of the rabbonim shlita: HaRav Sholom
Cohen, rosh yeshivas Porat Yosef; HaRav Shraga Feivel Cohen
from America, author of Badei Hashulchon; HaRav S. D.
HaKohen Gross, rov of the Gerrer chassidim in Ashdod; HaRav
Dovid Cohen, rosh yeshivas Chevron and other rabbonim from
the organization. As soon as this body becomes well
publicized, it will carry much more clout and it will be
possible to make many more improvements.
Rabbi Deutsch says that we cannot let the matter rest upon
the shoulders of just a few individual activists. This is why
we need a public body, a unification of forces. When they
come as an organization to Kupat Cholim, for example, or to
hospitals and other public bodies, they can ask for their
cooperation as representatives of a substantial number of
people and not just as private people. This is why it is so
important for all kohanim to join this union. In order
to register, call: 02-502-2596.
Q.Are there other areas of which the public should be
aware?
There are some public places which are problematic for
kohanim. It is important that they be made aware of
this.
There was one wedding hall where a problem arose regarding
tumas kohanim. It was a wintry day with pouring rain.
Among the guests was HaRav Yosef HaKohen Roth zt'l,
who was a member of this rabbinical organization and an
ardent supporter of the activities. He remained outside and
called 02-5862153, the number of the Beis Horo'oh, and
was told not to enter. He requested that the chosson
and the parents come outside so that he could convey his
Mazel Tov wishes to them.
This story had widespread repercussions and HaRav Y. Roth
took it upon himself to see that the necessary repairs and
changes be made to accommodate the future entry of
kohanim to this hall from the halachic aspect.
Then there is the problem of roads and highways. In Tiberias,
which many people visit during bein hazmanim, there
are some roads which are forbidden to kohanim. Those
tourist or bus companies who are aware of the problem can
circumvent those roads. The Beis Horo'oh is helping to
update a road map for the Tiberias area. The bus traveling
the Bnei Brak-Tiberias route passes over forbidden roads and
kohanim traveling on that line have to get off before
reaching Rechov Hameginim.
Haifa has a section of railroad that is forbidden for
kohanim to travel. Highway 444 connecting Kiryat Sefer
with Elad has a sign marking a cemetery on the side of the
road — and under that very road lie ancient graves.
Kohanim traveling this road must take care to use the
right-hand lane.
Museums can also be problematic. For research purposes some
museums keep human bones and organs which really require
burial. Forbidden, of course, are kivrei tzaddikim and
funerals and funeral homes. Kohanim must remain
outside.
In Petach Tikva, there are large trees which spread their
branches over the Beilinson and Kaplan hospitals and also
over nearby roads. Thousands of cars and buses pass
underneath them. After careful scrutiny together with the
local rov, HaRav Salomon, these trees were duly pruned to
eliminate the problem.
At the entrance to Har Hamenuchos there are also trees
spreading their branches over the road and it is advisable
for kohanim to get out and remain by the guard's post
at the entrance.
Q.What are the activities of the Beis Horo'oh
Very practical questions find their way to the Beis Horo'oh,
some of them rare and very interesting. Take the question
that came from Russia about an old woman who was cremated.
Could her ashes be transported via airplane?
A man from the U.S. who had had a kidney removed wished to
know if he could bring it along on the airplane. And a man
from Jerusalem asked if he could keep a human bone in his
home!
HaRav S. Deutsch notes that the Maharsham has a responsa
dealing with a cohen whose finger had been amputated
and who wished to preserve it for eventual burial with his
own remains. How should he do this?
Young kohanim husbands ask about visiting their wives
in the hospital after birth. There are questions raised about
miscarriages and abortions. Questions about people passing
away in a building that houses kohanim. All these
require expertise in the subject to be applied to each
particular case.
The Beis Horo'oh is in continual contact and consultation
with HaRav Eliashiv, as well as with the geonim R'
Shmuel Halevi Wosner and R' Nissim Karelitz.
Q.What is the particular message which you wish to
convey to the public of kohanim?
R' S. Deutsch replies: The public must know that as soon as
there is an organization uniting and representing thousands
of kohanim, it will be so much easier to deal with all
the problems. Aside from this is the important task of
generating heightened awareness among kohanim of their
responsibilities; this can be done through special ongoing
classes and large rallies in various population centers so
that there be increased consciousness to the various laws and
problems.
We must have a beis din of kohanim, a beis
din of kohanim doctors. No kohen can
foresee the situations and circumstances that may some day
arise and he should be made to realize that each one is a
public matter since he belongs to a very large segment of the
population that should be amalgamated and unified into one
fused body.
HaRav Munk notes: It is imperative that we clarify the
halochoh in all aspects of this subject. Awareness
should be heightened in hospitals regarding the needs of
kohanim. Roads should have proper signposts indicating
where it is forbidden for kohanim to go and how to
reroute. There should be a current, updated Information Guide
for Kohanim published periodically.
All this requires funding. We do publish pamphlets from time
to time with news on these matters. But as soon as there is a
single organized body with a membership list of
kohanim, it will be so much easier to work
systematically.
It is told that the Tana R' Shimon "purified the city of
Tiberias." There is the possibility today of purifying other
places, of making necessary emendations, repairs,
corrections, improvements for the benefit of the public of
kohanim. If we only had the means and the possibility,
how much could be done! And to be sure, it is our collective
prayer that these kohanim be restored to their duties
in the Beis Hamikdosh speedily and in our day!
We enjoy the hearty blessings of gedolei Yisroel
shlita: Maran R' Eliashiv, R' Shmuel Halevi Wosner, R'
Nissim Karelitz, R' Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg, R' Yitzchok
Tuvya Weiss. In the name of Hashem, may we succeed and truly
merit that time when our eyes will behold His return to Zion
in mercy so that we can again service Him in awe and
reverence.
"This is the statute of the Torah — since Satan and the
nations of the world confront the Jews [regarding the
poroh adumoh] saying: What kind of a commandment is
this? What reason lies behind it? [The answer is:] This is a
statute. An arbitrary mandate. You have no permission to
question it." (Rashi)
Actually, this is not only referring to the commandment of
poroh adumoh; it is an paradigm for the entire Torah,
for all the laws and statutes which have no seeming reason
behind them, especially when there are so many deterrents and
obstacles in keeping them. But one who is stringent in
keeping them deserves all the more reward therefore.
A statute is a law without explanation; it is (apparently)
arbitrary. And herein lies the greatness in keeping the Torah
and its laws.
Torah which is studied with sweat and toil becomes an
everlasting acquisition; it becomes part of a person. R'
Chaim Vital passed down to us in the name of his master, the
Ari z'l, as follows: Know that the deed of a person
cannot be measured only according to his point in time, to
his generation, for a seemingly insignificant deed in one
generation can outweigh many great mitzvos performed in
another generation.
One has no sanction to question a statute in the context of
trial and difficulty, when one lacks the will or sees no
rationale in those commandments. That is precisely the time
to toil wholeheartedly in Torah study, for according to the
effort is the reward!
This is the lesson of the chapter of poroh adumoh. To
find a perfectly whole red heifer with all of the necessary
requirements is a difficult thing. Notwithstanding, it can be
found. There were such creatures in history. And in the same
manner, so can every commandment, no matter how seemingly
difficult, be observed in full.
"In everything, the determining factor is one's dedication,
devotion, sacrifice. One must throw himself wholly, body and
soul, into fulfilling a mitzvah, for the more difficulties
that are presented, the greater chance it has of becoming a
permanent acquisition by him. No one, in our generation, is
expected to reach the lofty level of Moshe Rabbenu. But
everyone must attempt to maximize his potential, his G-d-
given talents. And if he devotes himself completely to
acquiring Torah, it will be his; he will merit it" (HaRav
A.Y.L. Shteinman; Yimolei Pi Tehilosecho II, p.
68).
How marvelous is the commentary of Maran R' Yechezkel
Abramsky zt'l regarding the gemora in
Pesochim 50a, that in the World of Truth, everything
is topsy-turvy to what we know here. What is up is down and
what is down is up. Up There, a person is judged according to
the effort he expended in this world, the days and nights he
devoted to study [and not necessarily what he achieved]. How
great is one who exerted himself in Torah study through great
effort and serious application, who sacrificed sleep in order
to acquire a true understanding and to have Torah become an
integral part of his makeup, of his way of life. Such a man
pleases Hashem far more than one who was born with innate
talents and acquired knowledge with much less input of
effort.
Poroh Adumoh is a statute for which a rational basis
is revealed. It also is one that is most difficult to keep
because of the deterrents and obstacles involved. And yet . .
. we are not permitted to question it.
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