3,916. What the Other Kohanim Can Receive

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 4:5

The previous halacha (about all kohanim being able to work on the Festivals and receive a share in the offerings) only refers the festival offerings, the showbread and the two loaves of Shavuos. Sacrifices brought because of vows, donations and the daily offerings are only brought by the watch on duty that week. This is so even during the Festivals, as per Deuteronomy 18:8: “Share for share they shall eat, except for that which is due because of the fathers.” This means that they eat “share for share” from the communal offerings but not from other sacrifices, which were divided by their forefathers and set for each watch in its designated week.

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 4:6

The service of the showbread is likewise performed by the watch on duty that week. The service of the two Shavuos loaves, however, is performed by all the watches. We know that Deuteronomy 18:8 refers specifically to the festivals because the verse leading up to it (18:6) says, “from one of your gates, from all Israel.” We see that it refers to a time when the whole Jewish people enters through one gate. We also see that it refers to kohanim (rather than Leviim more generally) because it says “Share for share they shall eat.” The only gifts to be divided in the Temple are for the kohanim.