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- The instructions of the priests (Hebrew: תורת כהנים torat kohanim) are the rulings and teachings of the priests that are addressed to the Israelite people. The term is also used in the Talmudic period for the "Priestly Manual", Leviticus. In Rashi's commentary on the Torah, he often refers to "Torat Kohanim," by which he means a halakhic midrash to the Book of Leviticus, also known as Sifra (Aramaic: סִפְרָא), which is also frequently quoted in the Talmud. In the verses of the Torah, the Torah instruction and rulings of the kohen is defined as decisive and authoritative. Two examples: the verse "כאשר יערוך הכהן כן יקום" -end of Leviticus, and על פיהם יהיה כל ריב וכל נגע" -Deuteronomy 21:5. However, in the Mishnah, the Torah instruction of the kohanim is usually quoted as an alternative, or sometimes even as contrary to the instruction of the tribes of Israel. The authority of the kohanim to function in judicial aspects and to instruct Torah directives to the nation of Israel is rooted both in the written Torah and the Oral Torah. In Kabbalah it is expounded that the kohen functioning in Torah guidance should be unusually knowledgeable in Torah law, and should act humbly and kindly, even though being in an authoritative position. The Torah commentators seem to agree that not every kohen, just by way of birthright alone, is given authority to instruct Torah directives to the nation but only those that endeavor to fully master the Torah's laws and nuances and are successful in that are considered adequate for Torah instruction and its judicial law and therefore are granted priority to members of the twelve tribes of Israel who are equal in Torah Knowledge. (en)
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