INTERMINGLED CHILD: WHICH FATHER SHOULD HE HONOR?

Shmuel states that if one Kohen from a group of ten Kohanim had relations with a woman who gave birth to a child, the child is considered a Shtuki. What does Shmuel mean that this child is a “Shtuki?” If he means that he is quieted from claiming inheritance from any of these ten Kohanim when they die, that is obvious! He has no claim, as no one knows who his father really is! It must be that Shmuel means that he is quieted from proclaiming himself to have the laws of a Kohen.

The Gemora asks: What is the reason for this? The verse states regarding Pinchas’ gift of Kehunah, “and it will be for him and his children after him.” This implies that for someone to be a Kohen, his father must be clearly identifiable, something not present in this case.

In the sefer, Korban Chagigah it is written that the child would be required to honor each one of the fathers because honoring one’s father is a Biblical mitzvah, and in cases of uncertainty, we act stringently.

Reb Yosef Engel in Gilyonei Hashas asks: Why don’t the laws of nullification (bittul) apply? We should say that the majority of these men are definitely not his father, and he should therefore be exempt from honoring any of them.

He writes that perhaps the laws of bittul are not applicable by positive commandments. Additionally, he suggests that a person is regarded as being prominent, and therefore they cannot become nullified.