171

The High Priest must marry a virgin maiden

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
וְה֕וּא אִשָּׁ֥ה בִבְתוּלֶ֖יהָ יִקָּֽח׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
Leviticus 21:13 - "He shall marry a woman in her virgin state."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holiness – קְדוּשָּׁה

The High Priest is commanded to marry only a virgin from Israel.

This mitzvah commands the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) to marry a virgin from Israel. He must take only a virgin, symbolizing the elevated sanctity and wholeness required of him. His marriage reflects the spiritual purity of his service, particularly as the one who enters the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to atone for the nation.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 17:1): Rules that the High Priest is commanded positively to marry only a virgin and forbidden to marry a widow, divorcee, chalalah, or zonah.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 275): The root is to ensure that the High Priest’s household exemplifies holiness and distinction, just as his service in the Temple demands.
  • Talmud (Yevamot 59b): Establishes this as a positive command, underscoring that the Kohen Gadol’s marital choice must be on a higher standard than that of ordinary Kohanim.
(Source: Chabad.org)

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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Covenant - בְּרִית

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Tied to the eternal covenant between G‑d and the Jewish people, including signs like brit milah and Shabbat.

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Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

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Mitzvot that define and deepen the relationship between a person and their Creator. These include commandments involving belief, prayer, Shabbat, festivals, sacrifices, and personal holiness — acts rooted in divine connection rather than human interaction.

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