To Honor the Kohen for service

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Rambam explains that sanctifying Kohanim preserves the holiness of the Mikdash. By visibly giving them precedence in ritual and communal acts, we affirm that holiness belongs to Hashem, who sanctifies His servants. This practice teaches Israel that sacred service requires both respect and reverence for those appointed to carry it out.

Priests – כֹּהֲנִים

• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 269) notes that the Kohanim are sanctified through Hashem’s choice, not their own merit. Honoring them reminds the nation that their priestly duties are sacred obligations, binding them to Divine service.

Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ

• The Temple service revolved around kohanim acting on behalf of the people. Their sanctification ensured proper order in offerings and rituals, protecting the Temple’s sanctity.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Talmud (Gittin 59b) demonstrates this mitzvah in daily practice: Kohanim receive the first aliyah to the Torah, lead blessings, and are given precedence at meals. These customs reinforce the mitzvah in the fabric of community life.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• Ramban (Lev. 21:8) stresses that honoring Kohanim is not about their personal dignity but about reverence for Hashem, who sanctified them. The mitzvah thus channels awe of Heaven through respect for His servants.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Honoring the Kohanim expresses man’s devotion to Hashem, since their service in the Mikdash represents the nation before Him. Sanctifying them reflects submission to His command.

Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ

• This mitzvah also builds social order: by giving Kohanim precedence, communities learn respect for structure and authority, fostering harmony and reverence in human interaction.