For the source text click/tap here: Zevachim 23
To download, click/tap here: PDF
One of the examples that appear in the Mishna is the case of yoshev – when the kohen is sitting at the time that the sacrifice is brought.
What is wrong with sitting while performing sacrificial service?
Rava quotes Rav Naḥman as saying that this is based on the passage (Devarim 18:5) that teaches that the kohanim were chosen by God to “stand and serve” in His name. We can conclude that only when they are standing are they chosen to serve as priests.
The Gemara quotes a baraita that suggests that this pasuk would only serve as a positive commandment; the requirement to do so that teaches that the sacrifice will be invalid if the kohen was not standing stems from the continuation of that discussion where the need to stand is repeated (see Devarim 18:7).
We explore this levitical priesthood role.