Mitzvah —
169
The High Priest must not marry a widow
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
Do a Mitzvah — Join us in building a living digital Beit Midrash — your partnership makes it possible.
-
אַלְמָנָ֤ה וּגְרוּשָׁה֙ וַחֲלָלָ֣ה זֹנָ֔ה אֶת־אֵ֖לֶּה לֹ֣א יִקָּ֑ח כִּ֛י אִם־בְּתוּלָ֥ה מֵעַמָּ֖יו יִקַּ֥ח אִשָּֽׁה׃ - פָּרָשַׁת אֱמוֹר
-
Leviticus 21:14 - "A widow, a divorcee, a woman who is desecrated or a prostitute he shall not marry [any] of these. Only a virgin of his people may he take as a wife."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holiness – קְדוּשָּׁה
The High Priest is forbidden from marrying a widow; he must marry only a virgin.
This mitzvah prohibits the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) from marrying a widow, even if she is otherwise permitted to other priests. The Torah requires the High Priest to marry only a virgin of Israel, reflecting the extraordinary level of sanctity demanded of him. This restriction underscores his role as the nation’s spiritual representative and highlights the holiness of his service in the Temple.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah 17:1): Codifies that while ordinary Kohanim may marry widows, the High Priest alone is forbidden and restricted to marrying a virgin.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 273): The root is to elevate the High Priest above all Israel in purity, since his life is entirely dedicated to service before Hashem.
- Talmud (Yevamot 59a): Explains that this law reflects the sanctity of the High Priest’s office, ensuring that his household remains without complication or prior union.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
