Appropriate and inappropriate behavior TB Nedarim 62

Today’s daf TB Nedarim 62 teaches us how a scholar, Sage, or Rabbi should behave. “It is taught in a baraita: The verse states: “To love the Lord your God, to listen to His voice, and to cleave to Him” (Deuteronomy 30:20). This verse indicates that a person should not say: I will read the written Torah so that they will call me a Sage; I will study Mishna so that they will call me Rabbi; I will review my studies so that I will be an Elder and will sit in the academy…Rabbi Eliezer bar Rabbi Tzadok says: Do things for the sake of their performance, not for any ulterior motive, and speak words of Torah for their own sake. Do not make them a crown with which to become glorified, and do not make them nor make them a dolabra [kordom] with which to hoe, i.e., do not use Torah study as a means of earning a livelihood. And this is an a fortiori inference: If Belshazzar, who made use only of sacred vessels that had become non-sacred vessels, was uprooted from the world, one who makes use of the crown of Torah, whose sanctity is permanent, all the more so shall he be uprooted from the world.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Would only rabbis have enough humility to live by these words! Far too often rabbis abuse their position and pull rank. I tried to remember these words and live by them. Hopefully I succeed more often than not. Sometimes some rabbis believe they are above the law and commit serious crimes. These crimes really profane the holy name of God (Hilul Hashem ‘חִלוּל  ה).

On the other hand there are some common procedures that are allotted to kohanim (priests) out of respect (kavod כָּבוֹד) “And a priest, from where do we derive that he takes his portion first? As it is written: “And you shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God” (Leviticus 21:8). And the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: The phrase “and you shall sanctify him” applies with regard to every matter of sanctity: to open first, to recite a blessing first, and to take a fine portion first.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Most commentators explain “to open first” means that a kohen is honored with the first aliyah to the Torah. The Rosh understands this phrase in a social context. In a public discussion, the kohen is given the honor of speaking first. The Ron explains the phrase “to recite a blessing first” means he is given the honor to lead Grace after meals. Rashi expands this honor to include reciting the motze (מוֹצִא) over the bread at the beginning the meal on behalf of the community. The Rosh expanses honor to include all blessings over other foods like eggs, cookies, fruit (birahkot nehenim ברכות נהנים)

The Ron explains “to take a fine portion first” means when portions are distributed equally, a priest can choose his share first. Many Akhronim point out that even though taking his share first is the kohen’s privilege, it is better not to put him in a morally uncomfortable position. Consequently, the kohen not taking the better portion is the preferable course of action. Rashi explains the case thusly. When a family of brothers all who are kohanim, the most scholarly amongst them takes his share first.

Of course since the rabbis compose the Talmud, they gave themselves the same privileges as a kohen.