QUESTION: Is a Kohen also obligated in the mitzvah of V’kidashto (to honor other Kohanim)?

ANSWER: The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 128:72) considers the following question: Is the obligation of V’kidashto incumbent only on non-Kohanim, or are Kohanim also included in this mitzvah? The mitzvos of honoring a Kohen, such as offering the Kohen the best portion or offering him to lead the bentching, would certainly not apply to a Kohen. Since he can accept the honor himself, he is not obligated to offer it to another Kohen. However, the question is relevant with regard to whether a Kohen is permitted to benefit from the service of another Kohen. If the mitzvah does not apply to Kohanim, then they may use other Kohanim for their own benefit. If Kohanim are also obligated in V’kidashto then the same prohibition that a Yisroel has against using a Kohen for his own personal benefit would apply to Kohanim as well. The Aruch Hashulchan leaves this question unresolved. However, the Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 128, s.v. Assur) suggests that a Kohen may be lenient, provided he does not ask a Kohen to perform menial tasks which would be demeaning to the honor of the Kehuna. R. Ovadiah Yosef (Yabia Omer 6:22:4), on the other hand, concludes that one should be strict.

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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.