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Bekhorot 44: When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go

November 01, 2026 | כ״א בחשון תשפ״ז

Cases of disqualification of kohanim from doing the Temple service for all kinds of eye blemishes, from blindness to pale spots on the eyes or excess tears — and how they are derived from the verses in Leviticus. Also, mishnayot! 1 – Blemishes that are unsightly physical blemishes, including eyes and other parts of the face. Plus, an assessment of Moshe’s height — based on that of the Tabernacle, so perhaps he was 10 amot high, which would have been too tall, and indeed a blemish of disproportion. 2- Additional blemishes – if a man has breasts that distend like those of a woman; if his stomach or navel protrudes; if he has occasional epileptic seizures; and more. Plus, Torah scholars should not worry about urinating in public — it’s a health concern, as compared to drinking water in public, which was considered uncouth. With examples of the Torah scholars who, indeed, urinated in public. 3 – A kohen who has no testicles, or only one – those are blemishes that get in the way of working in the Temple. But maybe tis is only if the testicles were crushed?

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Anne and Yardaena

Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. She is a veteran educator, having taught in high school and post-high school institutions in Israel and America for several decades. Yardaena Osband is a pediatrician and teaches in her community and online. They both hail from Boston, proud alumna of Maimonides School, where they first learned Gemara. Talking Talmud is their conversation (via podcast) on the daf yomi. They say: “Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf…) Join the conversation with us!”

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