Mitzvah —
257
An uncircumcised Kohen must not eat Terumah
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וְכִֽי־יָג֨וּר אִתְּךָ֜ גֵּ֗ר וְעָ֣שָׂה פֶ֘סַח֮ לַיהֹוָה֒ הִמּ֧וֹל ל֣וֹ כׇל־זָכָ֗ר וְאָז֙ יִקְרַ֣ב לַעֲשֹׂת֔וֹ וְהָיָ֖ה כְּאֶזְרַ֣ח הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכׇל־עָרֵ֖ל לֹֽא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בֹּא
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Exodus 12:48 - "And should a proselyte reside with you, he shall make a Passover sacrifice to the Lord. All his males shall be circumcised, and then he may approach to make it, and he will be like the native of the land, but no uncircumcised male may partake of it."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
A Kohen who is uncircumcised may not eat Terumah, even though he is otherwise entitled as a Kohen.
This mitzvah excludes any uncircumcised male from eating Terumah, even if he is a Kohen. Circumcision (brit milah) is the eternal covenant of Israel, and one who remains uncircumcised is barred from holy foods.
The restriction emphasizes that participation in sanctified eating requires full entry into the covenant. A Kohen who has not entered that covenant cannot partake in the gifts designated for Hashem’s service.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 7:1): Codifies that a Kohen who is uncircumcised — whether by choice or medical condition — is forbidden to eat Terumah.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 512): Explains that the mitzvah underscores the centrality of brit milah. Without it, one cannot partake of sanctified gifts.
- Talmud (Yevamot 70a): Extends the prohibition to all holy foods, including Terumah and sacrificial offerings.
- Rashi (Exodus 12:48): Notes that circumcision is the prerequisite for entering into the covenantal community of Israel and its privileges.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 512) writes that refraining from allowing the uncircumcised to eat Terumah strengthens faith in Hashem’s covenant. It affirms that only those who fulfill the command of brit milah are fully bound within the covenantal relationship.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Terumot 7:1) emphasizes that circumcision is a prerequisite to partake in holy foods. Without it, even a Kohen is barred, showing that holiness requires both lineage and covenantal action.
Purity – טָהֳרָה
- Talmud (Yevamot 70a) teaches that an arel (uncircumcised man) is equated to someone impure regarding holy foods. This parallels the way purity laws guard access to sanctity.
Priests – כֹּהֲנִים
- The mitzvah applies specifically to Kohanim, underscoring that even their priestly status does not grant them entitlement without circumcision. Their privilege is conditional upon covenantal fulfillment.
Family – מִשְׁפָּחָה
- Rashi (Exodus 12:48) ties brit milah to family and communal belonging. Without circumcision, one is considered outside the family of Israel’s covenant, regardless of priestly descent.
Brit Milah – בְּרִית מִילָה
- This mitzvah directly highlights circumcision as the eternal covenant between Hashem and Israel (Genesis 17:10). Without fulfilling it, one cannot partake in sanctified gifts like Terumah.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- By restricting Terumah only to those in the covenant, the mitzvah ensures fairness. It prevents desecration of what rightfully belongs only to those who have embraced their covenantal duty.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- The exclusion reinforces the communal boundary of holiness. Participation in sacred foods is reserved for those who visibly and actively affirm their membership in the covenantal community.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The mitzvah is fundamentally about obedience to Hashem. By requiring circumcision as a condition for eating Terumah, it emphasizes reverence and loyalty in the covenantal relationship with G-d.
