Fall 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Torah tells us that Ahron and his sons were appointed by Hashem to serve as the first kohanim. The status of kehuna<\/em> passes from father to son, in that a son of a male kohen is also a kohen. The kohanim were ordained to serve in the Beis Hamikdash and commanded to fulfill specific mitzvos.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Among these is the obligation for male kohanim to preserve their kedusha<\/em> and to prohibit becoming tamei meis<\/em> \u2013 that is, becoming defiled through contact or exposure to a dead body.[2]<\/a> Even though we no longer have a Beis Hamikdash, kohanim in our time are still required to observe all the halachos of tumas meis,<\/em> both in and outside of Eretz Yisroel.[3]<\/a> A kohen is restricted from becoming tamei<\/em> even from an akum meis<\/em> (the body of a deceased aino Yehudi<\/em>).[4]<\/a> At times of significant need, there is room for a kohen to be lenient and remain under the same ohel<\/em> (roof) as an akum meis<\/em>.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A kohen is obligated to become tamei<\/em> for a meis mitzva[6]<\/strong><\/a><\/em> as well as for his seven closest relatives:[7]<\/a> his father, mother, wife, brother, never married sister, son and daughter.[8]<\/a> But even within his family, there are restrictions.[9]<\/a> A kohen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tumas meis<\/em> is transmitted by touching, carrying or being under the same ohel<\/em> as a meis<\/em>.[15]<\/a> While a kohen can take care not to touch or move a meis<\/em>, there are circumstances in which he may find it challenging to avoid being under the same ohel<\/em> as one \u2013 such as inside a hospital or a museum, or on an airplane that is carrying a meis.l<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The laws of ohel<\/em> are complex, and this article can only touch on some of the issues involved. Here is a cursory overview of some of them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a kohen is in a building and there is a meis<\/em> in a different room, the kohen should immediately close all the doors and windows of the room that he is in. This will prevent tumah<\/em> from entering the room, as long as it is clear that the meis<\/em> will not exit the building through the doors of that room. Alternatively, the kohen should leave the building immediately.[26]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A person should inform a kohen if he is unaware that there is a meis<\/em> in the building. If the kohen is not fully dressed and will be embarrassed to go outside, one may tell him to get dressed and leave the building, without explicitly explaining why.[27]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a numerous sources of tumas meis<\/em> that may be found in a hospital. Apart from meisim<\/em>, there are patients who fall into the category of goseis<\/em>. A hospital will at times contain severed limbs and aborted fetuses. Additionally, body parts are routinely transferred to the pathology department for analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospitals generally contain multiple doors between floors and between departments, limiting the spread of tumah<\/em>.[28]<\/a> For this reason, some areas of a hospital may be less problematic than others. However, it is difficult to make an assessment without being well acquainted with the layout and practices of the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A kohen entering a hospital will generally not know whether there is tumas meis<\/em> present at that moment. There is considerable discussion among the poskim<\/em> as to how to treat cases of safeik<\/em> (uncertain) tumah<\/em>. Broadly speaking, their conclusion is that a kohen should avoid entering a hospital unnecessarily due to concerns of tumas meis<\/em> but may enter when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rav Moshe Feinstein zt\u201dl<\/em> writes that, if particularly necessary, a kohen may visit a close relative in hospital, provided it is not known that there is a Jewish meis<\/em> onsite and that most of the patients are not Jewish.[29]<\/a> This psak<\/em> may not apply to a hospital in Israel, as most patients there are Jewish. Before entering a hospital in Israel, a kohen should talk to a rabbi familiar with the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the mitigating factors to permit a kohen to enter an American hospital include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba At times of significant need, a kohen can be lenient regarding tumas ohel<\/em> of an akum meis<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba Only the minority of patients are Jewish<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba It is a safeik<\/em> whether any of the Jews present are meisim<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba There is an additional safeik<\/em> whether the tumah meis<\/em> would spread to the area being visited<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba There is a halacha<\/em> le\u2019Moshe mi\u2019Sinai<\/em> to be lenient regarding safeik tumah<\/em> in a public area, which arguably may apply in this scenario[30]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Museums sometimes contain human remains. It is often difficult to ascertain whether the exhibits are real or replicas; one cannot rely on museum workers to provide an accurate answer. Exhibits are generally enclosed in cases, which may prevent the tumah<\/em> from spreading. However, not all cases are constructed in a manner that is halachically capable of containing tumah<\/em>.[31]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Museums are typically open areas without closed doors, allowing tumah<\/em> to spread throughout the building. For this reason, kohanim generally refrain from entering museums that contain human remains.[32]<\/a> A kohen should also avoid entering a museum that contains mummies.[33]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is common for meisim<\/em> to be flown to Eretz Yisroel for burial, and the poskim debate whether tumas meis<\/em> can spread from the cargo area to the passengers. Airplanes are primarily made from aluminum. Although most metals are mekabel tumah<\/em>, some poskim<\/em> contend that perhaps aluminum does not, and thus may act as a barrier to prevent tumah<\/em> from spreading.[34]<\/a> Other poskim<\/em> disagree,[35]<\/a> while others contend that it cannot serve as a barrier when the airplane is moving.[36]<\/a> Therefore, a kohen should not travel on an airplane that is transporting a meis<\/em>.[37]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n One solution that has been implemented is to place the coffin inside a plastic box, constructed to prevent tumah<\/em> from spreading. This solution, however, raises its own concerns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba The box may be categorized as a kli<\/em> (utensil) which cannot block tumah<\/em> from spreading.[38]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba The box may not be able to prevent tumah<\/em> from spreading when the airplane is moving.[39]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25ba There is no way to confirm that the airline actually placed the coffin inside the box.[40]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For information regarding flights, please contact the Vaad Hacohanim at lakewoodkohanim@gmail.com<\/strong> or 732-523-5020<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The author wishes to thank Rabbi Yosef Fund of the Vaad Hacohanim in Lakewood, NJ, for his assistance with this article<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [1]<\/a> A male child born to a kohen through an illicit relationship may, under certain circumstances, be classified as a cholol<\/em>. The restriction of becoming tamei meis<\/em> does not apply to a cholol<\/em>; see Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah (S.A. Y.D<\/em>.) 370:2. Regarding descendants of a cholol,<\/em> see S.A. Even Ha\u2019ezer<\/em> 7:12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [2]<\/a> Vayikra 21:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [3]<\/a> S.A. Y.D<\/em>. 360:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [4]<\/a> S.A. Y.D<\/em>. 372:2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [5]<\/a> Igros Moshe Y.D<\/em>. 2:166.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [6]<\/a> S.A. Y.D.<\/em> 374:2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [7]<\/a> S.A. Y.D<\/em>. 373:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [8]<\/a> A kohen should not become tamei<\/em> for his sister if she is or was married, or if she is a beulah<\/em> (See S.A. Y.D<\/em>. 373:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A kohen is not permitted to become tamei<\/em> for a grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild or adopted child. He is also not permitted to become tamei<\/em> for his half-brother and half-sister, where he and they share the same mother but not the same father (S.A. Y.D<\/em>. 373:4). The prohibition of tumas meis<\/em> applies even if the meis<\/em> was a tzaddik (see Pischei Teshuva<\/em> Y.D.<\/em> 372:2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n [9]<\/a> A rabbi should be consulted when there is any doubt regarding these conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [10]<\/a> S.A. Y.D.<\/em> 372:6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [11]<\/a> Igros Moshe Y.D<\/em>. 1:252.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [12]<\/a> S.A. Y.D. <\/em>372:9; see also Igros Moshe (Y.D.<\/em> 1:251 and 2:165) regarding a kohen becoming tamei <\/em>for a relative who has had internal organs removed, and Igros Moshe,<\/em> ibid,and Shevet HaLevi<\/em> (3:161) regarding becoming tamei<\/em> for a relative who was missing a limb when still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [13]<\/a> S.A. Y.D.<\/em> 372:8. Rav Moshe Heinemann shlit\u201da<\/em> concurs with Shevet Halevi<\/em> (6:176) who states that a kohen should not become tamei <\/em>for a relative who was mechalel Shabbos befarhesya.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [14]<\/a> Rambam Hilchos Tumas Meis (T.M<\/em>.) 2:1, Shach Y.D<\/em>. 369:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [15]<\/a> Rambam T.M.<\/em> 1:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [16]<\/a> Rambam T.M<\/em>. 3:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
A Brief Overview of the Halachos of Tumas Meis<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hospitals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Museums<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Airplanes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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