P3
We are to regard all of God's priests to be set apart as holy.
Category: Priesthood
Type: Positive
Form: Implied
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- 1 Peter 2:9-10
Key OT Scriptures
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Exodus 19:5-6
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Exodus 28:1-3
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Leviticus 21:8
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Hebrews 5:4-6
- Hebrews 9:11-12
- Revelation 1:4-6
Supportive OT Scriptures
-
Genesis 22:17-18
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
The history of God choosing certain men to set apart as His priests, holy unto Himself, begins with God's promise to Abraham that through him, all the Nations of the earth will be blessed" ( Genesis 22:18 ). We see this continuing in the Mosaic Covenant where Israel is made by God to be a "kingdom of priests ( cohanim ), a nation set apart" ( Exodus 19:5-6 ), and Aaron and his sons are installed as priests ( Exodus 28:1-3 ), also "set apart" ( Leviticus 21:8 ). Then, later, in the New Covenant, Yeshua is made a High Priest ( Cohen Gadol ) in the order of Malki-Tzedek ( Hebrews 5:4-6 ), and all disciples of Yeshua are made cohanim under Him ( 2 Peter 2:9-10 ). Notwithstanding the change in the covenant ( Hebrews 8:13 ) and our loss of the Jerusalem Temple, the Judaism that survives today retains a few functions for those believed to be descended (patrilinearly) from the early Levitical cohanim . 1 Among these functions are making aliyot to the bima (going up to read from the Torah during services), the privilege of redeeming firstborn Jewish sons (the ceremony of Pidyon HaBen ), and imparting the Birkat Cohanim (Priestly Blessing or Aaronic Benediction) over synagogue congregants. In Messianic Jewish congregations, the Birkat Cohanim is generally ministered by the presiding leader of a service in recognition of the New Covenant's expansion of priestly holiness to all believers. 1. Historically, cohanim were only men; today, however, there is a movement within Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism to extend the status of cohanim to women; this is not generally accepted within Messianic Judaism.
Classical commentators
Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch are unified in stating that a cohen should be treated with honor befitting his inherited identity. He should be made to be first in all matters of holiness, the first to be called to Torah , the first to say the blessing at meals, and the first to be served. This deference to the cohen's holiness should be made regardless of the cohen's willingness to accept it.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MP50
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2