The Torah instruction of the Kohanim
Encyclopedia
The Torah instruction of the Kohanim is an expression used to define Torah
instruction and its directives (Mitzvot) as articulated by the Kohanim.
These directives where given -historically- in the times of the Beit HaMikdash by way of the Beit Din of the Kohanim (see below), and after the destruction thereof by way of the particular Kohen.
In the actual verses of the Torah, the Torah instruction and rulings of the Kohen is defined as decisive and authoritative. However, in the Mishna, the Torah instruction of the Kohanim is usually quoted as an alternative -or sometimes even as contrary- to the instruction of the tribes of Israel.
The authority of the Kohanim to function in Judicial aspects and to instruct Torah directives to the nation of Israel is rooted both in the written Torah
and the Oral Torah
.
In Kabbalah
it is expounded that the Kohen should function in Torah guidance, should also be unusually knowledgeable in Torah law, and should act humbly and kindly -even though being in an authoritative position.
The Torah commentators seem to agree that not every Kohen - just by way of birthright alone - is given authority to instruct Torah directives to the nation. But, only those Kohanim that endeavor to fully master the Torah's laws and nuances - and are successful in that - are considered adequate for Torah instruction and its Judicial law and therefor are granted priority to members of the twelve tribes of Israel who are equal in Torah Knowledge and application.
from his brothers and ordered him to study -and teach- the ways of service to G-d, specifically the servicial methods used by -his forfather- Avrohom to his brothers. He also instructed his sons to perpetuate this order of Levi for eternity. In Medrash Tanchuma
it is written that the sons of Levi where overly generous in their Torah instruction and succeeded at instruction their neighboring tribes to the point where they too became reliable Torah instructors.
During the Egyptian exile, it is recorded in Medrash that Amram
the son of Kehot son of Levi was the spiritual leader of the children of Jacob. After his passing, this leadership role was assumed by his son Ahron. Ahron, as the spiritual leader of the Jews during their bondage in Egypt -and likewise after the arrival of Moses and their ultimate redemption, was known to the nation as it's instructor, a man of kindness, and as a peace-instiller amongst arguing parties.
At the time of the erection of the Tabernacle G-d instructed Moses to coronate Ahron and his sons to serve therein -to be Kohanim- as a precondition to G-d revealing his Shechinah amongst the nation of Israel.
In addition to the Mitzvah
placed on the Kohanim to oversee and guard the Beit HaMikdash, The Torah also orders the Kohanim to protect the holiness of the Mizbeach and the Ketoret
service. This Mitzvah -and its encluded detail- gave birth to the creation of a committee -consisting of actual Kohanim- that oversaw the specifics of and enacted rules to protect those interests. This committee was known as either Ziknei Kehuna (the elders of the Kehuna) or by the name Beit Din Shel Kohanim (The Beit Din of Kohanim). Other functions of the "Beit Din Shel Kohanim" included investigating the lineage of the status quo Kohen
new to the holy service.
It is also recorded in the Mishna the Beit Din Shel Kohanim also engaged in other aspects of communal and marital life that was directly related to the Kohanim and their families
" Kohen) is a biblical term afforded the Kohen Gadol
. As per the Mishna, the Kohen Moshiach was unique in terms of his Torah instruction with him being equal -in multiple aspects- to the entire Sanhedrin
.
;
"And Hashem spoke to to Ahron saying..you, and your children with you..to differentiate between holy and mundane, and between impure and the pure and to instruct the children of Israel all of the statutes that Hashem spoke to them at the hand of Moshe" -Vayikra 10:8-11
Both the Sifra
and Talmud Bavli exegesize this verse to include -not only the items listed but also directs- the Kohen to be involved with instruction in various other areas of Torah law;
Erchin, Cherem, Tuma and Tahara, general Torah instruction, Medrash, Halacha, and proper reading of the Torah
Rabbi Avrohom Ben Meir -The Even Ezra
- in his Torah commentary notes the unique instructive abilities in which the Kohanim engaged. He points out that the Kohen had the ability to differentiate between the standard seven day unclean period of Niddah
and the longer unclean period of Zivah
. He also explained the brunt of the responsibility of the nation keeping (lit. watching) the Torah and the encompassing directive of its laws rests with the Kohanim. The Sforno
seems to echo this required responsibility of the Kohen in his commentary to the Torah.
The Ramban
-in his Torah commentary- that the Kohen's work in the Beit HaMikdash as well as his general Torah directives would reveal a kind of supernatural aura that was clear to the viewer or directive recipient all the while being error-free. The Sifri appears to hint at this idea by stating that during the while that Torah directives are being said from the mouth of the Kohen -he is compared to an administering angel.
. Although the latter service is quite clear from the Torah's words, the former is more obscure, and there is no concrete Chazal
istic that highlights the Kohen's role to monetary judicial duties.
The Sforno
-in his Torah commentary to issue of Eglah Arufa- explains that the Kohanim where experts at human behavioral habits -in Criminology
- and tapped into this skill of theirs to find and bring to justice the unknown murderer.
, in his commentary to Divrei Hayamim
notes that while the Kohanim and Leviim where occupied with Torah instruction and teaching the ministers of the King where present to ascertain that the nation took their words with due respect and seriousness.
In the prophecy of Yirmiyahu, G-d guarantees that his covenant with the Kohanim will not cease and even in the time of destruction of the Temple.
The Yalkut Shimoni
points out that Torah study of the Kohen -specifically his study of the Korbanot services- is important and qualified in the sense that it is as if genuine atonement is attained.
In Tanach sources, a Kohen who is competent at instructing Torah is considered a "Blessing from Heaven", and -similar to all heavenly blessing which are withheld due to the sinning of the people- is withheld from a generation that is not in-line with, or not capable of achieving, the ideal state the Torah demands.
In Tehillim
and Divrei HaYamim the Kohanim are described as providing Torah instruction with clean garments titiled "Levushei Tzedek" (garments of righteousness). In the book of Zechariah
, the appearance of Yehoshua Ben Yehotzadok is first described as wearing torn clothing and after -being admitted to formally serve in the Beit Hamikdash- was given complete clothing to don. Ultimately, it is unclear from the Tanach if certain types of garments are required for the Kohen to wear as a prerequisite to Torah instruction and/or if these garments are the equivalent of the Bigdei Kehuna (the official Priestly garments).
In the Medrash, the unusual knowledge of the Kohanim were attributed to their consumption of Terumah (and additional holy foods). As to why this food consumption had this specific effect is a matter of Rabbinic debate; one opinion is that due to these foods being listed as part of The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
, the Kohanim did not need to engage in business and therefore had the mind to devote to Torah study and instruction. Another opinion is that the actual food itself—being of Kodesh quality—brought increased spiritual capacity to its Kohen consumer.
the ideal Kohen is described as the epitome of the knowledgeable man and as being reliable in activities involving Kedusha
(holiness).
In the "Zohar Chadash" Rabbi Yochanan is quoted as saying that the Kehuna goes in tandem with Torah study and isolation. By contrast, the Zohar Chadash later goes on to describe the Kohen's Torah knowledge as being involved with the Korban (sacrificial offering) and it's respective owner -as a part of the greater nation of Israel- as a central role in the Korban service. Amongst the detail of note in terms of the Kohen's involvement is the requirement that he be experienced in having "Kavana" (mental intent) of the holy name of Yahweh during his servicial involvement.
In the expunges of the Zohar it recorded that the placing of the blood from the first sacrifice (in Hebrew: ail ha"miluim") offered in the Mishkan
as placed on Ahron and his son's right ear cartilage had an eternal effect that their ear be receptive in internalizing Torahic concepts, and to have the ability to intertwine the written and Oral Torah
's into one entity.
Rabbi Yitzchok notes that it is the Kohen who accomplishes the "Nichoach" (the relaxing result of the sacrifice) -namely, the pleasure of G-d himself, it is therefore necessary that the Kohen be knowledgeable in Torah even more than the average Jew.
Rabbi Yitzchok goes on to note that in the event that the Kohen is an Am ha-aretz, his service is invalid. Rabbi Shimon -in taking an extreme approach- quantifies the unknowledgeable Kohen as being the equivalent of an animal and beast. Rabbi Yannai
as well lists this distinction.
The Kabbalistic work Raziel HaMalach describes the Kohen as teaching Torah to the people and due to participation of the masses a divine blessing for material sustenance is given. Alternatively, lack of participation leads to the opposite effect.
The Mitteler Rebbe describes the Torah instructive attributes of the Kohanim -even at greater length than his father and predecessor- in terms of all divine intellect of the Torah being drawn down by way of the Torah study and instruction of the Kohanim. He also explained the Menorah
lighting and Ketoret
offering of the Kohen as symbolic of the ability of the Kohanim to produce joy and pleasure in the attribute of wisdom ("מדת החכמה"), which brings the Jewish nation an increase in material sustenance -even in times of exile when the Beit HaMikdash service is not being performed.
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
instruction and its directives (Mitzvot) as articulated by the Kohanim.
These directives where given -historically- in the times of the Beit HaMikdash by way of the Beit Din of the Kohanim (see below), and after the destruction thereof by way of the particular Kohen.
In the actual verses of the Torah, the Torah instruction and rulings of the Kohen is defined as decisive and authoritative. However, in the Mishna, the Torah instruction of the Kohanim is usually quoted as an alternative -or sometimes even as contrary- to the instruction of the tribes of Israel.
The authority of the Kohanim to function in Judicial aspects and to instruct Torah directives to the nation of Israel is rooted both in the written Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
and the Oral Torah
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
.
In Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
it is expounded that the Kohen should function in Torah guidance, should also be unusually knowledgeable in Torah law, and should act humbly and kindly -even though being in an authoritative position.
The Torah commentators seem to agree that not every Kohen - just by way of birthright alone - is given authority to instruct Torah directives to the nation. But, only those Kohanim that endeavor to fully master the Torah's laws and nuances - and are successful in that - are considered adequate for Torah instruction and its Judicial law and therefor are granted priority to members of the twelve tribes of Israel who are equal in Torah Knowledge and application.
Prelude
The Rambam, in his work Mishna Torah, explains that Yaakov separated his son LeviLevi
Levi/Levy was, according to the Book of Genesis, the third son of Jacob and Leah, and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Levi ; however Peake's commentary suggests this as postdiction, an eponymous metaphor providing an aetiology of the connectedness of the tribe to others in the Israelite...
from his brothers and ordered him to study -and teach- the ways of service to G-d, specifically the servicial methods used by -his forfather- Avrohom to his brothers. He also instructed his sons to perpetuate this order of Levi for eternity. In Medrash Tanchuma
Tanhuma
Midrash Tanhuma is the name given to three different collections of Pentateuch haggadot; two are extant, while the third is known only through citations. These midrashim, although bearing the name of R. Tanḥuma, must not be regarded as having been written or edited by him...
it is written that the sons of Levi where overly generous in their Torah instruction and succeeded at instruction their neighboring tribes to the point where they too became reliable Torah instructors.
During the Egyptian exile, it is recorded in Medrash that Amram
Amram
In the Book of Exodus, Amram Arabic عمران Imran, is the father of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam and the husband of Jochebed.-In the Bible:In addition to being married to Jochebed, Amram is also described in the Bible as having been related to Jochebed prior to the marriage, although the exact...
the son of Kehot son of Levi was the spiritual leader of the children of Jacob. After his passing, this leadership role was assumed by his son Ahron. Ahron, as the spiritual leader of the Jews during their bondage in Egypt -and likewise after the arrival of Moses and their ultimate redemption, was known to the nation as it's instructor, a man of kindness, and as a peace-instiller amongst arguing parties.
At the time of the erection of the Tabernacle G-d instructed Moses to coronate Ahron and his sons to serve therein -to be Kohanim- as a precondition to G-d revealing his Shechinah amongst the nation of Israel.
The Beit-Din of Kohanim
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
placed on the Kohanim to oversee and guard the Beit HaMikdash, The Torah also orders the Kohanim to protect the holiness of the Mizbeach and the Ketoret
Ketoret
The use of incense in Judaism was related to perfumed offerings on the altar of incense in the time of the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple period, and was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem....
service. This Mitzvah -and its encluded detail- gave birth to the creation of a committee -consisting of actual Kohanim- that oversaw the specifics of and enacted rules to protect those interests. This committee was known as either Ziknei Kehuna (the elders of the Kehuna) or by the name Beit Din Shel Kohanim (The Beit Din of Kohanim). Other functions of the "Beit Din Shel Kohanim" included investigating the lineage of the status quo Kohen
The status quo Kohen
The status quo Kohen is a Rabbinic title which legitimates Kohen status to a Jewish Kohen who—amongst multiple criteria—exhibits conduct exemplary of and is recognized by his peers and community as such....
new to the holy service.
It is also recorded in the Mishna the Beit Din Shel Kohanim also engaged in other aspects of communal and marital life that was directly related to the Kohanim and their families
The Kohen Moshiach
The Kohen Moshiach (the "annointedHoly anointing oil
The holy anointing oil , formed an integral part of the ordination of the priesthood and the high priest as well as in the consecration of the articles of the tabernacle and subsequent temples in Jerusalem...
" Kohen) is a biblical term afforded the Kohen Gadol
Kohen Gadol
The High Priest was the chief religious official of Israelite religion and of classical Judaism from the rise of the Israelite nation until the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem...
. As per the Mishna, the Kohen Moshiach was unique in terms of his Torah instruction with him being equal -in multiple aspects- to the entire Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was an assembly of twenty-three judges appointed in every city in the Biblical Land of Israel.The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel made of 71 members...
.
Written Torah sources
The first instance where the Torah expresses the authority to Kohanim to function in the area of Torah instruction is found in VayikraLeviticus
The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, and the third of five books of the Torah ....
;
"And Hashem spoke to to Ahron saying..you, and your children with you..to differentiate between holy and mundane, and between impure and the pure and to instruct the children of Israel all of the statutes that Hashem spoke to them at the hand of Moshe" -Vayikra 10:8-11
Both the Sifra
Sifra
Sifra is the Halakic midrash to Leviticus. It is frequently quoted in the Talmud, and the study of it followed that of the Mishnah, as appears from Tanḥuma, quoted in Or Zarua, i. 7b. Like Leviticus itself, the midrash is occasionally called "Torat Kohanim" , and in two passages also "Sifra debe...
and Talmud Bavli exegesize this verse to include -not only the items listed but also directs- the Kohen to be involved with instruction in various other areas of Torah law;
Erchin, Cherem, Tuma and Tahara, general Torah instruction, Medrash, Halacha, and proper reading of the Torah
Rabbi Avrohom Ben Meir -The Even Ezra
Abraham ibn Ezra
Rabbi Abraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra was born at Tudela, Navarre in 1089, and died c. 1167, apparently in Calahorra....
- in his Torah commentary notes the unique instructive abilities in which the Kohanim engaged. He points out that the Kohen had the ability to differentiate between the standard seven day unclean period of Niddah
Niddah
Niddah is a Hebrew term describing a woman during menstruation, or a woman who has menstruated and not yet completed the associated requirement of immersion in a mikveh ....
and the longer unclean period of Zivah
Zav/Zavah
In Torah terminology, the Hebrew word zav is a state of ritual impurity arising from abnormal seminal discharge from the male sexual organ...
. He also explained the brunt of the responsibility of the nation keeping (lit. watching) the Torah and the encompassing directive of its laws rests with the Kohanim. The Sforno
Sforno
Sforno is the name of a prominent Jewish Italian family, many members of which distinguished themselves as rabbis and scholars. The most prominent of these were the following:- Hananeel ben Jacob Sforno :Scholar of Talmud...
seems to echo this required responsibility of the Kohen in his commentary to the Torah.
The Ramban
Nahmanides
Nahmanides, also known as Rabbi Moses ben Naḥman Girondi, Bonastruc ça Porta and by his acronym Ramban, , was a leading medieval Jewish scholar, Catalan rabbi, philosopher, physician, kabbalist, and biblical commentator.-Name:"Nahmanides" is a Greek-influenced formation meaning "son of Naḥman"...
-in his Torah commentary- that the Kohen's work in the Beit HaMikdash as well as his general Torah directives would reveal a kind of supernatural aura that was clear to the viewer or directive recipient all the while being error-free. The Sifri appears to hint at this idea by stating that during the while that Torah directives are being said from the mouth of the Kohen -he is compared to an administering angel.
The Kohen in a judicial role
The Torah relates that the Kohen is to perform judicial duty to resolve conflict and to assist in purifying TzaraathTzaraath
The Hebrew noun tzaraath describes a disfigurative condition mainly referred to in chapters 13-14 of Leviticus, as well as conditions equivalent to be "mildew" on clothes and houses.Tzaraath affects both animate...
. Although the latter service is quite clear from the Torah's words, the former is more obscure, and there is no concrete Chazal
Chazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
istic that highlights the Kohen's role to monetary judicial duties.
The Sforno
Sforno
Sforno is the name of a prominent Jewish Italian family, many members of which distinguished themselves as rabbis and scholars. The most prominent of these were the following:- Hananeel ben Jacob Sforno :Scholar of Talmud...
-in his Torah commentary to issue of Eglah Arufa- explains that the Kohanim where experts at human behavioral habits -in Criminology
Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in both the individual and in society...
- and tapped into this skill of theirs to find and bring to justice the unknown murderer.
In Neviim and Ketuvim
In the Neviim and Ketuvim, the Kohen is assumed to be well versed and knowledgeable in Torah law and to be in a perpetual state of teaching those laws to the nation. He is also involved in displaying ("proving") the qualities of the Torah and the value of living its lifestyle. Based on the translation of Yonathan Ben Uziel -and as a bit of an extremist opinion- the person who refuses to internalize the lessons taught by the Kohen is deemed as a fool. RashiRashi
Shlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
, in his commentary to Divrei Hayamim
Books of Chronicles
The Books of Chronicles are part of the Hebrew Bible. In the Masoretic Text, it appears as the first or last book of the Ketuvim . Chronicles largely parallels the Davidic narratives in the Books of Samuel and the Books of Kings...
notes that while the Kohanim and Leviim where occupied with Torah instruction and teaching the ministers of the King where present to ascertain that the nation took their words with due respect and seriousness.
In the prophecy of Yirmiyahu, G-d guarantees that his covenant with the Kohanim will not cease and even in the time of destruction of the Temple.
The Yalkut Shimoni
Yalkut Shimoni
The Yalkut Shimoni or simply Yalkut is an aggadic compilation on the books of the Hebrew Bible. From such older haggadot as were accessible to him, the author collected various interpretations and explanations of Biblical passages, and arranged these according to the sequence of those portions of...
points out that Torah study of the Kohen -specifically his study of the Korbanot services- is important and qualified in the sense that it is as if genuine atonement is attained.
In Tanach sources, a Kohen who is competent at instructing Torah is considered a "Blessing from Heaven", and -similar to all heavenly blessing which are withheld due to the sinning of the people- is withheld from a generation that is not in-line with, or not capable of achieving, the ideal state the Torah demands.
In Tehillim
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
and Divrei HaYamim the Kohanim are described as providing Torah instruction with clean garments titiled "Levushei Tzedek" (garments of righteousness). In the book of Zechariah
Book of Zechariah
The Book of Zechariah is the penultimate book of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew and Christian Bible, attributed to the prophet Zechariah.-Historical context:...
, the appearance of Yehoshua Ben Yehotzadok is first described as wearing torn clothing and after -being admitted to formally serve in the Beit Hamikdash- was given complete clothing to don. Ultimately, it is unclear from the Tanach if certain types of garments are required for the Kohen to wear as a prerequisite to Torah instruction and/or if these garments are the equivalent of the Bigdei Kehuna (the official Priestly garments).
In the Talmud and Medrash
The Talmud entertains the notion that the Kohanim are "different" from the nation of Israel in the sense that they are called "Children of Knowledge" (Bnei Deah), with the Kohen possessing an ability to instruct Torah even in his stage of youth. The Talmud alludes that the Torah instruction of the Kohen was of general importance to the Jewish nation and of specific importance to topics relating to Kehuna.In the Medrash, the unusual knowledge of the Kohanim were attributed to their consumption of Terumah (and additional holy foods). As to why this food consumption had this specific effect is a matter of Rabbinic debate; one opinion is that due to these foods being listed as part of The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
The twenty-four Kohanic gifts
The twenty four priestly gifts, are a description in the Gemara tradition of offerings given to the Jewish priests. The adjective "kohanic" means "of a kohen", relating to a Jewish priest....
, the Kohanim did not need to engage in business and therefore had the mind to devote to Torah study and instruction. Another opinion is that the actual food itself—being of Kodesh quality—brought increased spiritual capacity to its Kohen consumer.
In the Zohar and Kabbalah
In the ZoharZohar
The Zohar is the foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah and scriptural interpretations as well as material on Mysticism, mythical cosmogony, and mystical psychology...
the ideal Kohen is described as the epitome of the knowledgeable man and as being reliable in activities involving Kedusha
Kedusha
The Kedushah is traditionally the third section of all Amidah recitations. In the silent Amidah it is a short prayer, but in the repetition, which requires a minyan, it is considerably lengthier...
(holiness).
In the "Zohar Chadash" Rabbi Yochanan is quoted as saying that the Kehuna goes in tandem with Torah study and isolation. By contrast, the Zohar Chadash later goes on to describe the Kohen's Torah knowledge as being involved with the Korban (sacrificial offering) and it's respective owner -as a part of the greater nation of Israel- as a central role in the Korban service. Amongst the detail of note in terms of the Kohen's involvement is the requirement that he be experienced in having "Kavana" (mental intent) of the holy name of Yahweh during his servicial involvement.
In the expunges of the Zohar it recorded that the placing of the blood from the first sacrifice (in Hebrew: ail ha"miluim") offered in the Mishkan
Mishkan
Mishkan is the Hebrew word for the dwelling place of God, or the Tabernacle. It may refer to:*The Israelite Tabernacle...
as placed on Ahron and his son's right ear cartilage had an eternal effect that their ear be receptive in internalizing Torahic concepts, and to have the ability to intertwine the written and Oral Torah
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
's into one entity.
Superior knowledge of Torah
The TannaTannaim
The Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
Rabbi Yitzchok notes that it is the Kohen who accomplishes the "Nichoach" (the relaxing result of the sacrifice) -namely, the pleasure of G-d himself, it is therefore necessary that the Kohen be knowledgeable in Torah even more than the average Jew.
Rabbi Yitzchok goes on to note that in the event that the Kohen is an Am ha-aretz, his service is invalid. Rabbi Shimon -in taking an extreme approach- quantifies the unknowledgeable Kohen as being the equivalent of an animal and beast. Rabbi Yannai
Rabbi Yannai
R. Yannai was a Jewish sage, living during the first half of the 3d Century, and of the first generation of the Amora sages of the Land of Israel. He was a disciple of R. Judah haNasi - the sealer of the Mishnah. R...
as well lists this distinction.
The Kabbalistic work Raziel HaMalach describes the Kohen as teaching Torah to the people and due to participation of the masses a divine blessing for material sustenance is given. Alternatively, lack of participation leads to the opposite effect.
In Chabad literature
Chabad literature delivers an in depth view of the unique divine character traits of Shevet Levi in general and of the Kohanim in particular. Beginning from the Alter Rebbe -who at length described the unique Kindness attribute of Aharon HaKohein and also the divine wisdom (Chochma) given to the Kohanim in all generations inclusive of Kohanim who are merely youth.The Mitteler Rebbe describes the Torah instructive attributes of the Kohanim -even at greater length than his father and predecessor- in terms of all divine intellect of the Torah being drawn down by way of the Torah study and instruction of the Kohanim. He also explained the Menorah
Menorah
The menorah is described in the Bible as the seven-branched ancient lampstand made of gold and used in the portable sanctuary set up by Moses in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fresh olive oil of the purest quality was burned daily to light its lamps...
lighting and Ketoret
Ketoret
The use of incense in Judaism was related to perfumed offerings on the altar of incense in the time of the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple period, and was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem....
offering of the Kohen as symbolic of the ability of the Kohanim to produce joy and pleasure in the attribute of wisdom ("מדת החכמה"), which brings the Jewish nation an increase in material sustenance -even in times of exile when the Beit HaMikdash service is not being performed.