Greetings and Salutations:
In the first perik of YOMA, the possiblity of replacing a Cohen Godol who becomes toma is discussed.
1) What seems to be missing if the possiblity that the Cohen Godol because of age develops an infirmity that makes it impossible to do the Avodah on Yom Kippur with a complete ability in the alloted time frame or he suffers from memory problems and is not sure about doing the avodah the right way. Is He replaced or what is the procedure in this case?
2) Second, it memntions that the Cohen Godol must make attonment for himself and his household? Does not his children and grandchildren count as household?? If this is so why go through the contortions about a second wife?
thank you very much
Avrohom Eliezar HaCohen
Dear Avrohom,
Hello there and thanks for your questions.
1) I'm sure that in the cases you mentioned, if the current Kohen Gadol cannot perform the Avodah, he is replaced by the Segan. In our Mishnah, once we already designate another Kohen Gadol it covers all issues that can disqualify the current one. Chachamim, however, maintained that the only reason why we have to take extra precautions is because of the issue of Tumah since it is more likely to happen than either the death of the Kohen Gadol or any of the possibilities you mentioned.
2) The Derasha for "Beiso" is wife, not children. There is no requirement for him to have children in order to perform the Avodah, nor are the children considered Beiso.
Kol tuv.
Y. Landy