Mitzvah —
256
A hired worker or a Jewish bondsman of a Kohen must not eat Terumah
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וְכׇל־זָ֖ר לֹא־יֹ֣אכַל קֹ֑דֶשׁ תּוֹשַׁ֥ב כֹּהֵ֛ן וְשָׂכִ֖יר לֹא־יֹ֥אכַל קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
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Leviticus 22:10 - "No non kohen may eat holy things; a kohen's resident and his hireling may not eat holy things."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden for a Kohen’s hired worker or temporary bondsman to eat Terumah.
This mitzvah establishes that not all who are connected to a Kohen share in his rights to eat Terumah. While the Kohen’s household and permanent dependents may partake, temporary laborers and Hebrew bondsmen (eved Ivri) are excluded.
The Torah makes a distinction between those truly integrated into the Kohen’s household and those who remain “strangers” despite employment. This ensures that Terumah remains holy and reserved for those sanctified by Hashem’s designation.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 6:2): Rules that a Kohen’s hired workers and Hebrew servants may not eat Terumah, because their connection is contractual, not inherent.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 511): Explains that Terumah is limited to those with true familial or covenantal attachment to the Kohen.
- Talmud (Yevamot 66a): Derives distinctions between categories of dependents, clarifying who qualifies to partake in Terumah.
- Rashi (Leviticus 22:10): Stresses that “tenant” and “hired worker” are specifically excluded, even while working for the Kohen.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 511) explains that restricting Terumah to true dependents of a Kohen reinforces faith that Hashem designates holiness, not human arrangements. Employment cannot override Divine boundaries.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 6:2) teaches that a tenant or hired worker is excluded because their attachment is temporary. This ensures that the sanctity of Terumah remains with those permanently tied to the Kohen.
Purity – טָהֳרָה
- Talmud (Yevamot 66a) compares categories of dependents and stresses that only those within the Kohen’s true household may eat in purity. Excluding temporary workers preserves the sanctity of the food.
Priests – כֹּהֲנִים
- Rashi (Leviticus 22:10) highlights that Terumah is not a perk of employment but a holy inheritance given to the Kohanim and their families. This clarifies the priestly privilege and its limits.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Allowing only rightful participants to eat Terumah ensures fairness. If hired hands could partake, the Kohen’s family could be deprived of their holy portion, violating justice.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The mitzvah protects the integrity of the priestly system within the community. It reinforces that sanctified roles are not subject to negotiation or convenience.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- As Terumah derives from produce, the mitzvah defines its boundaries of consumption. Agriculture here becomes not only about food but about rightful holiness.
Terumah / Ma’aser – תְּרוּמָה / מַעֲשֵׂר
- Rambam underscores that Terumah is distinct from ordinary wages or provisions. This mitzvah safeguards its unique role in the broader framework of sacred gifts.
Eretz Yisrael – אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל
- Like other tithes and portions, this mitzvah applies biblically in the Land of Israel, reinforcing its sanctity and the agricultural holiness tied to the land (Kiddushin 38b).
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The prohibition is a direct Divine command, reminding Israel that holiness is determined by Hashem. It is less about social dynamics and more about honoring His framework.
