QUESTION: How far does the mitzvah of V’kidashto extend? If I am playing sports with a Kohen, must he be offered to start first?

ANSWER: The Tumim (15:3) writes that the mitzvah of V’kidashto only applies in the realm of kedusha and mitzvos. The Pri Megadim (OC 135:1) follows this approach as well. He therefore questions why the Gemara includes serving the best portion of food to the Kohen in the mitzvah of V’kidashto. The Pri Megadim answers that the Gemara is referring to serving the Kohen first at a seudas mitzvah (such as the Shabbos meal), when there is a mitzvah to eat. According to the Pri Megadim, at an ordinary weekday meal there is no mitzvah to serve the Kohen first. However, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 201:3) and the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (144:8) imply that there is an obligation to serve the Kohen first at any meal. They explain that the mitzvah is to place him first at any opportunity that will indicate his importance. Nevertheless, it would seem that in the case of playing sports, in which going first does not demonstrate one’s importance, all would agree that there is no need to give precedence to a kohen.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.