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Rabbi Chanina
Segan HaKohanim
(The Deputy High Priest)
Rabbi Chanina was a Tanna - first generation. He was the deputy Kohen Gadol at
the end of the Second Temple period (Yoma 39a).
Two halachot in his name are mentioned in Tosefta, regarding the laws of ritual
purity (Terumot 9:10, Nega'im 8:6); transmits details about
customs prevalent in Temple times (Misnah Eduyot 2:3; Menachot
10:1) and about the Temple service from his knowledge of his father's customs
(Mishnah
Zevachim 9:3) and from those of the other kohanim (Mishnah Pesachim
1:6; Eduyot 2:1-2)
In connection with the prohibition against bathing on the Ninth of Av, he said,
"The house of God merits that for its sake a man should forgo an immersion
once a year" (Taanit 13a)
He taught:
"Great is peace which is equal to the whole act of creation" (Sifri
Devarim 42).
He said : "Pray for the welfare of the government, because if not for fear
of it, a person would swallow his fellow alive." (Avot 3:2)
"Everyone
who takes the words of Torah to heart...will have removed from his thoughts of
the sword, thought of famine, foolish thoughts...thought of the yoke of human
beings" (Avot de Rabbi Natan 20, 70)
May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi
Chanina Segan HaKohanim
protect
us all, Amen
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