Reply To: Superiority

Avira, you describe a Kohein as being on a higher madreiga than a non-Kohein. Presumably (correct me otherwise) you’d apply the same principle regarding a Talmid Chochom vs. a non-T”C (even though no one is born as a T”C), as well as regarding a Melech vs. citizens. And you’d probably say the same regarding a big T”C versus an average T”C.

Once you are making a hierarchy between different classes of Yidden being on higher madreigas, would you apply this principle to say that a T”C is on a higher madreiga than a Kohein (for the reason that ‘coffee addict’ cited above)? And how would you place the comparative hierarchy between one category and the others, when comparing a Melech, Talmid Chochom, Kohein and any other similar or other categories of people not yet mentioned above?

And before other posters here start getting upset over the need of any such hierarchy, in fact it is relevant and necessary as we have to know who to give kadima and honor first; we know we have to give kovod first to a Kohein and a Talmid Chochom and a Melech, etc., but between them and other relevant categories the question is who goes first.

As far as the “why” these categories are on a higher madreiga than others, ‘coffee addict’ proffered the reason being that because he’s מחויב in more מצוות concerning a כהן. But that point isn’t applicable regarding a תלמיד חכם, who has the chiyuvim as everyone else. What are the reasons you’d explain why the other categories here (Melech, T”C and others) are on a higher madreiga?