More Discussions for this daf
1. Hekdesh After Yovel 2. הלוקח שדה מאביו ומת אביו ואח"כ הקדישה
DAF DISCUSSIONS - ERCHIN 26

Ralph asks:

Cohanim are allowed to buy-or be given free - Hekdesh which is not redeeemed before Yovel. How does this fit with the statements in Chmash that Cohanin/leve'im are not participate in the share out of land (except for the levitical Cities?

Ralph, Netanya, Israel

The Kollel replies:

It is true that Kohanim can receive Hekdesh which was not redeemed, but this is not a typical situation of inheriting a plot of land. No Kohen will automatically receive a portion of the land unless his father received Hekdesh.

Moreover, it would seem that the prohibition against taking a share in the land applies only at the time of the division of the land and not later (see Rambam, Hilchos Shemitah v'Yovel 13:9, Malbim to Yehoshua 13:33). This principle seems also to be the opinion of Rashi (Devarim 18:1-2). Thus, the Kohanim are entitled after that point to receive land and bequeath it to their children.

Yirmeyahu is commanded to buy a field from Chanamel, his cousin, and the reason given for this is that "you are the inheritor." Apparently, Chanamel had no children and therefore Yirmeyahu was his closest relative, but they are both Kohanim, yet despite this he has a field of his own and wishes to sell it but keep it in the family.

Yoel Domb

Mark Bergman adds:

Possibly a Kohen inherited from his mother/wife, i.e. his mother/wife was from a family of girls (like Bnos Tzlofchod) who inherited land, and married a Kohen.

Meir Eliezer Bergman

Manchester UK