share torah logo

Leviticus 22:13 - Priestly daughter's sacred return

Leviticus 22:13 - ויקרא 22:13

Hebrew Text

וּבַת־כֹּהֵן כִּי תִהְיֶה אַלְמָנָה וּגְרוּשָׁה וְזֶרַע אֵין לָהּ וְשָׁבָה אֶל־בֵּית אָבִיהָ כִּנְעוּרֶיהָ מִלֶּחֶם אָבִיהָ תֹּאכֵל וְכָל־זָר לֹא־יֹאכַל בּוֹ׃

English Translation

But if a priest’s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and has returned to her father’s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father’s bread: but no stranger shall eat of it.

Transliteration

U'vat kohen ki tihye almana u'gerusha ve'zera ein lah ve'shava el beit aviha ki'ne'ureha mi'lechem aviha tochel ve'chol zar lo yochal bo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבַת־כֹּהֵן֩ כִּ֨י תִהְיֶ֜ה אַלְמָנָ֣ה וּגְרוּשָׁ֗ה וְזֶ֘רַע֮ אֵ֣ין לָהּ֒ וְשָׁבָ֞ה אֶל־בֵּ֤ית אָבִ֙יהָ֙ כִּנְעוּרֶ֔יהָ מִלֶּ֥חֶם אָבִ֖יהָ תֹּאכֵ֑ל וְכׇל־זָ֖ר לֹא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃
וּבַת־כֹּהֵן֩ כִּ֨י תִהְיֶ֜ה אַלְמָנָ֣ה וּגְרוּשָׁ֗ה וְזֶ֘רַע֮ אֵ֣ין לָהּ֒ וְשָׁבָ֞ה אֶל־בֵּ֤ית אָבִ֙יהָ֙ כִּנְעוּרֶ֔יהָ מִלֶּ֥חֶם אָבִ֖יהָ תֹּאכֵ֑ל וְכׇל־זָ֖ר לֹא־יֹ֥אכַל בּֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Leviticus 22:13) discusses the laws pertaining to a bat kohen (priest's daughter) who becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father's household. It specifies that she may partake of terumah (the sacred food reserved for kohanim), provided she has no children from her previous marriage.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the phrase "as in her youth" indicates that the daughter reverts to her original status before marriage, allowing her to eat terumah just as she did while unmarried in her father's home. However, if she has children from her marriage, they retain a connection to her late or former husband's lineage, disqualifying her from partaking in terumah.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Terumot 6:8), the Rambam (Maimonides) rules that a priest’s daughter who is widowed or divorced without children may return to her father’s household and eat terumah, as she is once again considered part of the priestly family. However, if she has a child—even if that child is no longer alive—she may no longer eat terumah, as the child’s existence permanently alters her status.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifra (a halachic Midrash on Leviticus) elaborates that the phrase "and no stranger shall eat of it" reinforces the sanctity of terumah, which is strictly reserved for kohanim and their eligible dependents. A "stranger" (zar) refers to anyone outside the priestly household, including a daughter who has married into another family or has children from a non-kohen.

Practical Implications

  • A bat kohen who is widowed or divorced without offspring may return to her father’s home and eat terumah.
  • If she has children, even if they are deceased, she is permanently disqualified from eating terumah.
  • The verse emphasizes the exclusivity of terumah, prohibiting non-kohanim from partaking in it.

Symbolic Meaning

The Kli Yakar (Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) suggests that this law reflects the spiritual purity of the priestly family. A childless widow or divorcee, having no lasting ties to another household, is symbolically "reborn" into her father’s sanctity, whereas children create an enduring bond to another lineage.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yevamot 86b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the rights of a priest's daughter who returns to her father's house, particularly regarding her entitlement to eat from the priestly offerings.
📖 Ketubot 60a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the dietary rights of a priest's daughter who is widowed or divorced and returns to her father's household.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 22:13 mean?
A: Leviticus 22:13 discusses the laws regarding a kohen's (priest's) daughter who becomes widowed or divorced without children. If she returns to her father's household, she is permitted to eat from the sacred food (terumah) that is reserved for kohanim, just as she did when she was young and unmarried. However, an outsider (non-kohen) may not eat from it.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish law?
A: This verse is important because it clarifies the special status of a kohen's daughter regarding sacred food. While a married kohen's daughter eats from her husband's terumah, if she is widowed or divorced without children, she reverts to her father's household and regains the right to eat terumah there. This teaches about the connection between family status and priestly privileges.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 22:13?
A: We learn about the Torah's sensitivity to the needs of those in difficult life situations. A kohen's daughter who loses her marital status without children is not left without support—she can return to her father's home and partake in the priestly sustenance. This also highlights the importance of family support in Jewish tradition.
Q: Does this law apply today?
A: While the laws of terumah (priestly food) primarily applied when the Temple stood, the principles behind this verse—such as family responsibility and the sanctity of priestly lineage—remain relevant in Jewish law. Today, kohanim still maintain certain sanctity obligations, though the practical application differs without the Temple service.
Q: Why can't a stranger eat from the kohen's food?
A: Sacred food (terumah) is designated exclusively for kohanim and their eligible household members (as specified in this verse). A 'stranger' (non-kohen) eating it would violate the Torah's commandment, as explained by Rashi and the Talmud (Yevamot 86b), which states that terumah is a holy gift to the kohanim and may not be consumed by others.