3,914. Separating the Kohanim

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 4:1

The kohanim (who are from the Tribe of Levi) were separated from the general population of Leviim for the service of the sacrifices. I Chronicles 23:13 says, “Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy.” There is a Torah obligation to place the kohanim apart, to sanctify them and to prepare them for the offerings. This is as per Leviticus 21:8: “You shall sanctify him because he offers the (metaphorical) ‘bread’ of your God.”

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 4:2

Every Jew must grant the kohanim great honor and give them priority in every matter of holiness, to get the first aliyah, to lead bentching and to get a nice portion first.