1.
Joshua Danziger asks:
Hello kollel!
The Gemara says that a kohen without begadim is considered as a zar. It seems this opinion is accepted.
My question is, is this only for avodah itself? Since the Gemara calls him a zar it seems like maybe there's an issue if he eats terumah without the begadim? Or if he receives money for pidyon haben, duchens with a bracha?
Thank you.
Josh
2.
The Kollel replies:
Josh,
It only applies when a Kohen is commanded to wear Bigdei Kehunah, namely when he does the Avodah in the Mikdash. A Kohen isn't required to wear Bigdei Kehunah when doing the Mitzvos you mentioned since Bigdei Kehunah are unrelated to these Mitzvos. See Rambam Hilchos Kelei ha'Mikdash 10:4.
Avraham Phillips