יום ג Date: 10 Kislev, 5774 (12/2/14) – Yevamos#59 {Tani}

PURIFIED CALLING

[59a middle] Mishna: A Kohen Gadol (high priest) may not marry a widow from Erusin or Nisuin (engagement or marriage) and a Bogeress (over 12 years old and one day) as well. R’ Elazar and R’ Shimon allow a Bogeress to marry a Kohen Gadol. The Kohen Gadol may also not marry a woman wounded intimately by a piece of wood.

Prac-T-cal Tidbits: The Kohen Gadol is the highest spiritual position in Judaism. Therefore, his wife needs to be of the utmost cleanliness, purity and innocence (a possible reason for the requirement of no previous marriages or other problematic factors). We too, in our own lives, should try to see ourselves as ‘Princes of G-d’ and go about our days with honor and purity.