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Bechoros 7:4-5

Bechoros 7:4

If a kohein’s eyes are large like a calf’s eyes or small like a goose’s eyes, if his body is proportionately larger or smaller than his limbs, if his nose is proportionately larger or smaller, if he has tiny ears or ears like a sponge (perhaps meaning swollen), he is unfit to serve.

Bechoros 7:5

If a kohein’s upper lip overlaps his lower lip or vice versa, it’s a blemish. If his teeth fell out, he is disqualified for appearances’ sake. If he has breasts like a woman’s, an oversized gut, an “outtie” navel, is prone to epileptic seizures even if only infrequently, suffers from depression, or has oversized testicles or male member, he may not serve. If he has no testicles or only one, this is the “m’roach ashech” mentioned in Leviticus 21:20. Rabbi Yishmael says the m’roach ashech is one whose testicles are crushed. Rabbi Akiva says it refers to one whose testicles are swollen; Rabbi Chanina ben Antigonos says it means a person with an unnaturally dark complexion.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz