Chukas 19:03 · unit 1 — given to Elazar; for generations any ordinary Kohen

Parashas Chukas · Aliyah 1 · Passuk 3

The Complete Passuk

וּנְתַתֶּ֣ם אֹתָ֔הּ אֶל־אֶלְעָזָ֖ר הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְהוֹצִ֤יא אֹתָהּ֙ אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְשָׁחַ֥ט אֹתָ֖הּ לְפָנָֽיו׃

And you shall give it to Elazar the Kohen, and he shall take it outside the camp and slaughter it before him.

Chabad.org — 19:3

Source Citation

Torah Temimah: Yoma 42b — Why does it say “osah”? “Osah” to Elazar, but for generations — [it may be done] by an ordinary Kohen.

Sefaria — Yoma 42b

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר אוֹתָהּ, אוֹתָהּ לְאֶלְעָזָר, וּלְדוֹרוֹת – בְּכֹהֵן הֶדְיוֹט.

English: Why does the verse say “osah”? “Osah” to Elazar, but for generations — by an ordinary Kohen.

Type of Learning

Limitation of the specific address to Elazar versus the ongoing law.

What Is Learned

Although the first para was given specifically to Elazar, for all subsequent generations any ordinary Kohen may perform the service.