מתנות כהונה א

Based on the Torah [discourse] "VaYehi Heim Merikim Sakeihem" in Siman 17, which is referenced above in Hilchos Traifos, Halachah 1; see there.

And in order to rectify the rectification of eating in completeness — that it should be in total kashrus as is fitting — therefore one gives matanos kehunah [the priestly gifts — the foreleg, the cheeks, and the stomach of every slaughtered domestic animal, which must be given to a Kohen]. This is the aspect of tzedakah [charity/righteousness], through which the eating is rectified (as is explained there). Also, tzedakah is the completeness of the da'as and the rectification of the bris, in the aspect of: "Tzedakah saves from death" (Mishlei 10:2), as mentioned above.

Ailleh ezkirru vi-eshpichu ulliy nafshee key e-evohr basuch edadaim ad bais Eloaheem bikoal reenu visoadu humoan choagaig.

And therefore one gives the tzedakah — that is, the gifts — to the Kohen. For the Kohen is the aspect of tikkun habris (as is brought above). And therefore, through the gifts that are given, the animal is rectified and rendered kosher — for its rectification depends upon tikkun habris, as mentioned above (in Hilchos Shechitah, Halachah 1).

When I think of this, I pour out my soul: how I walked with the crowd, moved with them, the festive throng, to the House of G-d with joyous shouts of praise.

And similarly, our Sages of blessed memory said that the zero'a [foreleg], the lechayayim [cheeks/jaws], and the keivah [stomach/maw] were merited by the Kohanim through Pinchas, who was zealous with the zealotry of Hashem Tzeva'os for the sake of tikkun habris, as is brought. The zero'a corresponds to: "And he took a spear in his hand" (Bamidbar 25:7), etc.; see there. It follows that the gifts are the aspect of tikkun habris, through which the animal is rectified, as mentioned above. And therefore, the gifts apply only to beheimah [domestic animals, as opposed to wild beasts or birds]. For in beheimos the spirit of animality intensifies more, as mentioned above. Therefore, one must give the gifts in order to subdue it, as mentioned above. Also, the Kohen is the aspect of the talmid chacham [Torah scholar] and the Rav who is comprised of many souls of Yisrael, as it is written: "For the lips of the Kohen shall guard da'as, and Torah…" (Malachi 2:7). And as our Sages of blessed memory expounded from this (Mo'ed Katan 17a): "If the Rav is comparable to an angel of Hashem Tzeva'os," etc. And therefore, the essential rectification of eating in a kosher manner is through the tzedakah that is given to the Kohen specifically. For the essential thing depends upon the tzedakah that is given to the tzadik who is comprised of many souls (as is explained there; see there). And therefore, the bris kehunah [the covenant of priesthood] — that is, the gifts that the Kohanim merited — is called "bris shalom" [a covenant of peace], as it is written regarding Pinchas when he merited the kehunah: "Behold, I give him My covenant of peace. And it shall be for him and for his seed after him a covenant of eternal priesthood," etc. (Bamidbar 25:12–13). For they increase peace, for they are the aspect of the tzadikim who are comprised of many souls, through whom peace is increased (as is explained there). And therefore, it is forbidden to give matanos kehunah to a Kohen am ha'aretz [a Kohen who is an ignoramus]. For the essential importance of the Kohanim is through their holiness — for they are in the presumption of greater holiness than the rest of Yisrael. And therefore, the essential tzedakah is fitting to be given to them — to separate for them from the abundance of the food, to give them from it matanos kehunah — in order to rectify the rectification of eating through this. For the essential rectification of eating depends upon giving tzedakah to one who is sanctified with extra holiness, who is comprised of more souls — through which peace is increased — and through this specifically the eating is rectified. This is the aspect of the rectification of the mizbe'ach (as is explained there). And this is what is stated regarding matanos kehunah: "For it is your wage in exchange for your service" (Bamidbar 18:31). That is, because the Kohanim are constantly engaged in the avodah [the Temple service], which is the rectification of the mizbe'ach — therefore it is fitting to give them the tzedakah, that is, the gifts. For through this, the rectification of the mizbe'ach is rectified even more, as mentioned above (and as is explained there). Also, in the discourse "Dirshu Hashem" (Siman 37), based on what is explained there, it is explained that tzedakah is the aspect of the rectification of shechitah. For through this one merits the aspect of hevel she'ain bo cheit [breath that has no sin in it] — which is the essential rectification of shechitah: to elevate the nefesh [soul] from chai [the level of "living creature"] to medaber [the level of "speaking being," i.e. human]; see there. And this is the aspect of the above-mentioned gifts, the aspect of tzedakah, as mentioned above. And therefore, the gifts apply only in Eretz Yisrael. For the essential tzedakah is in Eretz Yisrael — for through the tzedakah of Eretz Yisrael, one becomes subsumed within the avira dakya [the pure air (of the Holy Land)], the aspect of the above-mentioned hevel she'ain bo cheit — which is the rectification of shechitah, as mentioned above. Also, through the tzedakah of Eretz Yisrael, there is the rectification of the mizbe'ach, the rectification of eating, even more. For Eretz Yisrael is avira dakya — which is the aspect of the tranquil and pure air. And when one gives tzedakah there to the above-mentioned Kohen, the air is purified and cleansed even more. And through this is the rectification of the mizbe'ach, the rectification of eating (as is explained there in the discourse "VaYehi Heim Merikim Sakeihem"; see there). Matanos Kehunah 1 is a three-section halachah based on Likutay Moharan I:17 ("VaYehi Heim Merikim Sakeihem"). It explains why the matanos kehunah — the foreleg, cheeks, and stomach — must be given to a Kohen from every slaughtered domestic animal. Section 1: Matanos kehunah = tzedakah = the rectification of eating = tikkun habris. The Kohen = tikkun habris. The gifts were merited through Pinchas's zealotry against Zimri. The gifts apply only to beheimah (domestic animals), where the spirit of animality is strongest. Section 2: The Kohen = the talmid chacham/Rav comprised of many souls. The bris kehunah = bris shalom. One may not give the gifts to a Kohen am ha'aretz. The essential rectification of eating depends on giving tzedakah to one who is sanctified with extra holiness and comprised of many souls, through which peace is increased = the rectification of the mizbe'ach. "It is your wage in exchange for your service" — because the Kohanim constantly do the avodah. Section 3: Based also on Likutay Moharan I:37 ("Dirshu Hashem"): tzedakah = rectification of shechitah = meriting hevel she'ain bo cheit (breath without sin) = elevating the soul from chai to medaber. The gifts apply only in Eretz Yisrael, for there the essential tzedakah takes effect — subsumed within the avira dakya (pure air of the Land). Through giving tzedakah in Eretz Yisrael to the Kohen, the air is purified further, and the mizbe'ach and eating are rectified even more.