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17 Iyar, 5770 Vol. 11, No. 26
Parashas Emor
The Ralbag (ibid.) explains why the Torah prohibits a kohen from defiling himself by coming in contact, or in proximity, of a dead body: The kohanim need to learn to despise earthly matters. Their position as servants of Hashem in the Beis HaMikdash demands that they separate themselves as much as possible from worldly pursuits. The only reason to justify their involvement with a physical body would be to benefit the spiritual aspect of that person, his neshama. Once the neshama has left the body, however, there is no longer any spiritual component that would gain from the interaction, and therefore it should be prohibited as a purely physical activity. If the deceased is a direct relative, on the other hand, the kohen is obligated to defile himself, the Ralbag continues, in order to properly mourn them and to build the necessary family bonds.