"Order and Method"
in the Mikdash - A Story Every week another Mishmeret served in the Mikdash under the supervision of its Rosh Mishmeret.) Over the years, Meir, a senior Kohein with decades of service in the Mikdash, put his obvious administrative abilities at the disposal of the Mishmeret. An expert in the details of Mikdash procedure, Meir was a frequent visitor to the Rosh Mishmeret's austere office on Har HaBayit where they discussed the intricacies of the Avoda. Chuckling, Meir picked up the telephone only to hear, "Meir, we have a real emergency! I just got a call from R. Chanina (the Segan (deputy) Kohein Gadol). You know that the Kohanim perform the Avoda much more efficiently since the Sanhedrin's new regulations went into effect last year. By instituting strict rules governing which Korbanot have precedence over others (Zevachim 10), there are many fewer mistakes and the Ba'alei Korban (the people bringing the Korbanot) do not have to wait as long. You know that your contribution was essential in helping our own Kohanim adapt!" Of course, Meir knew. After initial hesitation, once the Kohanim of the Mishmeret realized the advantages of the new system, they willingly implemented it. But why was the Rosh Mishmeret calling him? He did not have long to wait. "Meir, I'll be blunt. Mishmeret Bilga is serving this week in the Mikdash and they're messing everything up! We need help!" Mishmeret Bilga was the "problem-child" of all the Mishmarot. Like many Kohanim, Meir wished that Mishmeret Bilga could be abolished altogether, but he knew that the organization of the priesthood into 24 Mishmarot was sacrosanct and therefore immutable. According to Divrei Hayamim Alef 24:14, Bilga was the 15th of the 24 listed Mishmarot. Ergo, problematic Bilga would remain. Shaking his head, Meir recalled with indignation that the apostate High Priest Menelaus who so eagerly served Antiochus IV - the polluter of the Mikdash - also stemmed from Bilga. Though the Greek version of II Maccabees (4:23) referred to him as a Benjaminite, not even of the seed of Aaron, none of the numerous allegations made in the literature against Menelaus ever implied that he was not of Kohanic stock. And the more accurate Latin translation of II Maccabees specifically cited Menelaus and his equally culpable family as being members of Beit Bilga. After Yehuda HaMaccabi liberated Jerusalem and restored the Avoda, Beit Bilga was in disgrace for a long time. However, all Kohanim knew that even today there were still "issues" with Beit Bilga. They did not report to the Mikdash on time and, contrary to the enthusiasm and agility displayed by the Kohanim of the other Mishmarot, the Kohanim of Bilga were downright sluggish when they performed the Avoda (Sukka 56b). Complaints were legion. Meir was roused from his reverie by the sharp voice of the Rosh Mishmeret. "Meir, the Segan is beside himself. He asked me if I had anyone capable of coming down here and straightening things out. He even sent Bilga's Rosh Mishmeret home on 'sick-leave'." Meir, seeing where this conversation was leading, started to protest, but the Rosh Mishmeret cut him off. "Meir, I took the liberty of making an appointment for you with the Segan. You wouldn't want to disappoint him, would you? Besides, the Kohein Gadol himself has taken a personal interest in this matter! The Mikdash NEEDS you!" The next morning, Meir found himself in the Beit HaMokeid (Chamber of the hearth) north of the Azara addressing the assembled Kohanim of Beit Bilga. With the Segan standing at his right, Meir did not beat around the bush. The Segan had authorized him to implement the new regulations and he intended to do so. Gimlet eyes flashing, Meir told them in no uncertain terms that the present "confusion-engendering situation" would not be tolerated any longer and that he personally would punish any malingering or stonewalling. The Kohein Gadol was taking a personal interest. "Are there any questions?" There were none, but Meir thought he detected a few smiles. Meir began, "Whatsoever is offered more frequently than another precedes that other. The Tamid (the daily burnt offering) precedes the Musafim, additional sacrifices offered on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Shalosh Regalim, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. If Shabbat falls on Rosh Chodesh, the Musafim of Shabbat are offered before the Musafim of Rosh Chodesh which in turn precede the special Musafim of Rosh HaShana." (Note the 10th Perek of Zevachim.) So far so good. Meir continued, "What is more holy than that other precedes that other. The blood of a Chatat (a sin offering) is applied to the Mizbei'ach before that of an Olah because it effects atonement for a sin, which, if performed purposely, would entail the punishment of Kareit. The Olah precedes the Asham (the guilt-offering)." The "Bilga-ites" nodded. Even they knew that. Seizing the initiative Meir continued. "Therefore to prevent mix-ups and potential violations of Halacha, we are going to implement the Sanhedrin's new rulings. From now on, all private Chataot will be offered first, then the Olot, followed by the Ashamot and the Shelamim. Korbanot will no longer be offered haphazardly. The Avoda will be organized. And it will make your lives a lot easier too!" Meir detected a couple more smiles. "Every morning, when we open the Azara gates, we'll divide the Ba'alei HaKorban into groups depending on what kind of Korban they are bringing. Everything will be much more efficient. We'll post a schedule noting when each kind of Korban is offered so people will know when to come. Why should the Ba'alei Korban wait needlessly in the sun?" Even the Bilga-ites were beginning to understand. As Meir continued talking, he noticed that he had the attention of most of Kohanei Bilga. He explained that even though Sh'chita (slaughtering the sacrificial animal) was not considered an Avoda and was valid when carried out by a non-Kohein, the Shocheit (slaughterer) had to have Kavana "proper intent" (Menachot 110a). If he did not have Kavana, he disqualified the Korban. The officiating Kohein also had to concentrate on the nature of the Korban and the identity of the Ba'al Hakorban. The officiating Kohein also had to be mindful of the regulations that governed each sacrifice. Newly animated, for the first time the Kohanim started asking serious questions, actually participating. Meir, with his encyclopedic knowledge, had no difficulty answering them. He had "connected" with Mishmeret Beit Bilga! <to be continued> Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service [The
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