Love of the Land

For the week ending 22 February 2003 / 20 Adar I 5763

Parveh Not So Neutral

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
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We are accustomed to refer to neutral food which is neither meat nor dairy as being "Parveh". But there was actually a man in Jewish history by that name and an office in the Beit Hamikdash courtyard as well.

Parveh was a sorcerer who was determined to observe the very secret services of the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. Towards this end he dug a tunnel which would lead him there. The place where he was discovered and taken for execution was subsequently named the "Parveh Office" to warn any potential peeping toms what fate awaited them for showing such great disrespect for the holy site.

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