QUESTION: May a Kohen be mochel (decline) the honors that are bestowed upon him?

ANSWER: Based on the Gemara (Gittin 59b), the Mishnah Berurah (135:9) writes that although V’kidashto teaches us that in all matters of kedusha we must honor the Kohen first, the Kohen may forgo the honor and bestow it on his Rebbi or on a greater scholar. There is one exception. A Kohen may not decline the honor of receiving the first aliya. Chazal instituted that if a Kohen is present, he must receive the first aliya to prevent quarrels, and he is not permitted to decline this honor.

The Rambam in Sefer Hamitzvos (Mitzvah 32) cites a Midrash that a Kohen must be honored even against his will. It is not up to the Kohen’s discretion. This ruling of the Rambam is seemingly in disagreement with the Gemara in Gittin quoted above. However, many explain that the Rambam is not referring to a Kohen forgoing a specific honor to someone more deserving. Rather the Rambam is discussing a Kohen who wants to relinquish his entire status as a Kohen. In this instance, he must not be permitted to lower his status. We maintain his holiness even against his own will (see Maharsham 1:214).

___________________________________________________

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.