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Iyun of the day · Bekhorot 45 · בכורות מ״ה
The Disqualification of an Iter
פסול איטר בכהונה
Is a left-handed priest disqualified because he possesses a bodily blemish, or because he fundamentally lacks a halachic right hand?
The Mishnah and baraita discuss physical criteria that disqualify a priest from performing the sacrificial service in the Temple.
A baraita teaches that an אִיטֵּר (a left-dominant person), whether in the hand or in the foot, is disqualified. Furthermore, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the Sages argue about an ambidextrous person.
The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi suspects weakness began in the right, while the Sages view ambidexterity as extra strength.
The question
What is the underlying mechanism that disqualifies a left-dominant priest from performing the Temple service?
Through the sources
The Gemara (Gemara)
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן — אִיטֵּר, בֵּין בַּיָּד בֵּין בָּרֶגֶל — פָּסוּלThe baraita rules categorically that an אִיטֵּר (left-dominant person) is disqualified from the Temple service whether in his hand or foot.
Rashi (Rishonim)
איטר ביד פסול דכתי' וטבל אצבעו כל מקום שנא' אצבע וכהן אינו אלא ימיןRashi explains that service requires the right hand and natural standing. The disqualification stems from the rule that this person lacks a right limb.
Rabbeinu Gershom (Rishonim)
שהרי אין כוחה יתר משמאל והוי מוםRabbeinu Gershom defines the left-handed condition as a physical defect. The loss of relative strength in the right hand constitutes a bodily blemish.
Chiddushei Ramban (Rishonim)
אלא ש"מ דלאו משום מום נפסל אלא מפני שאין לו ימיןRamban argues that an אִיטֵּר is not listed among standard blemishes. His disqualification is strictly because he has no right side to perform the required service.
Mishneh Torah (Halacha)
מִי שֶׁהוּא אִטֵּר יַד יְמִינוֹ. וְאִם הָיָה שׁוֹלֵט בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדָיו כָּשֵׁרThe Rambam codifies the left-handed priest under the chapter of bodily blemishes. An ambidextrous priest is acceptable for Temple service.
Kiryat Sefer (Acharonim)
אטר יד ימינו פסול דכתיב וטבל אצבעו כל מקום שנאמר אצבע ובהונה אינו אלא ימיןKiryat Sefer links the left-handed disqualification to the textual requirement of right-handed service. The disqualification operates because service requires the right.
Ohr Sameach (Acharonim)
דבעי שיהא שוה בזרעו של אהרןThe Ohr Sameach questions Ramban and explains that an אִיטֵּר does not invalidate the avodah post facto. He is disqualified because he is not uniform with the rest of Aaron's descendants.
Ways to understand it
Absence of Halachic Right
The Torah specifically commands Temple actions and chalitzah to be performed with the right limb. An אִיטֵּר does not possess an operative right limb, so he cannot fulfill the positive command of service.
Bodily Blemish of Weakness
An אִיטֵּר suffers from an inherent physical defect in his right hand or foot. The degradation of strength in the primary limb is classified as a standard bodily מום (blemish).
Non-Uniformity Among Priests
The priest is disqualified under the special requirement of אֵינוֹ שָׁוֶה בְּזַרְעוֹ שֶׁל אַהֲרֹן (not being uniform with Aaron's seed). Therefore, he is barred initially, yet he does not actively desecrate the service post facto like a foreign act.
Where it lands
The Rambam rules that a left-handed priest is disqualified from Temple service, while an ambidextrous priest is valid. The Acharonim debate whether this disqualification is due to the lack of an operational right hand or non-uniformity with Aaron's seed.
An אִיטֵּר is disqualified from the Temple service either because he lacks a functional right limb or because his anomaly deviates from Aaron's lineage.