3,925. The Criteria of the Kohein Gadol

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 5:1

The Kohein Gadol must exceed his fellow kohanim in terms of attractiveness, strength, wealth, wisdom and appearance. If he doesn’t have personal wealth, his fellow kohanim contribute to him according to their means until he exceeds them in wealth.

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 5:2

These criteria do not disqualify a person from being Kohein Gadol. Rather, this is merely the optimum way. If a Kohein Gadol who didn’t meet these criteria was installed, his appointment is valid.

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, MS Ed., is Torah Content Editor at the Orthodox Union. He is the author of nine books, including The Tzniyus Book, The Taryag Companion, The God Book and Ask Rabbi Jack. His two-volume The Complete Targum Onkelos is available from Kodesh Press as well as on Amazon.

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