Horayos 3:4-5

Horayos 3:4

We’ve been using the words “Kohein Gadol” for clarity but the mishna actually uses the word “mashiach” (anointed). At this point, the mishna clarifies that “mashiach” refers to the Kohein Gadol. Specifically, this refers to a Kohein Gadol who was anointed with the special anointing oil (as was the case in most of the first Temple period) but not to one who was appointed through the additional priestly garments (as in the second Temple). An anointed Kohein Gadol only differs from one appointed through the additional garments in the bull that is brought as a sin offering for violating mitzvos. The serving Kohein Gadol only differs from a former substitute Kohein Gadol in the bull that is offered on Yom Kippur and the tenth of an ephah flour offering. They are equal in that either may perform the Yom Kippur service, each must marry a virgin and not a widow, neither may expose themselves to ritual impurity for close relatives nor let their hair grow or tear their clothes (as a sign of mourning), and accidental killers are released from the cities of refuge upon the death of either of them.

Horayos 3:5

The Kohein Gadol tears his garment in mourning at the bottom; a regular kohein does so at the top (i.e., in the usual manner). The Kohein Gadol may offer sacrifices on the day of a close relative’s death but he may not eat from them; a regular kohein may neither offer nor eat from sacrifices at this time.