This week’s Sedra opens with particular instructions to the Kohanim. In the first of these, the Torah tells the Kohanim not to become Tamei (impure) by dealing with deceased people. The Torah then, however, goes on to state that all Kohanim other than the Kohen Gadol may indeed become impure for a group of seven close relatives (father, mother, brother, wife, son, daughter, and an unmarried sister). On a simple level the implied reason for the Kohen’s not being allowed to become impure by dealing with dead bodies would appear to be that he should not allow himself actively to become Tamei. Allowing himself to become Tamei would render him invalid for service as a Kohen. So as to avoid this the Torah forbade it.

If becoming Tamei is an inherent problem for a Kohen, why does the Torah allow him to become Tamei? If it is ok or simply a slight hindrance, why doesn’t the Torah merely inform the Kohen to avoid Tuma without specifically forbidding it?

It is clear from the fact that the Torah allows a Kohen to deal with a Mes Mitzvah (a corps found lying in the middle of nowhere) that the Torah does feel that there are times at which a Kohen must engage in certain activities even if these impede his ability to perform the Avoda (priestly services). This being the case, we must look at the prohibition against becoming Temei Mes and its exceptions as guidelines rather that some sort of blanket rule. In other words the Torah really is suggesting that Kohanim avoid Tuma, while at the same time defining clearly the extent to which they can and can’t become Tamei.

If this is the case it leads us to yet another question: if the Kohen should avoid becoming Tamei why can he become Tamei for a close relative?

A person has responsibilities in life and sometimes important things have to be sacrificed for those responsibilities to be met. Family is a valued responsibility by the Torah. While the Avoda is very important for a Kohen to perform, the burial of a close relative is a real responsibility.

Very often certain elements of Avodas Hashem require other things to be compromised. Sometimes it is difficult to decide between two important things. The Torah is teaching us that responsibilities are the deciding factor. Responsibilities aren’t only important, they are obligations.

A very warm Good Shabbos, Rabbi Y. Dov Krakowski