This kinnah mourns the destruction of the Temple’s kehuna (priesthood).  There were many great personalities and groups of personalities lost throughout our various destructions that could have been our focal point.  Why do we specifically focus on the kohanim?

The role of the kohanim in the Beis Hamikdash was complex.  On the one hand, they were, in a sense, agents of God, in the role of assessing the sota and tzaraas, and blessing the people. On the other hand, they played the role of agents of the Jewish people, as they wore the breastplate with the names of the tribes; and, of course, they brought korbanos on behalf of the people. Agents generally do not have their own identity, but rather do the bidding of others.  But isn’t the kohein supposedly of higher rank than the levi or yisrael? 

The Kohein Gadol wore the tzitz, or the head-plate, and the words “sanctified to God” were engraved on it.  In a sense, he wore a hat saying, “Property of God.”  Considering his stature and power, one would think that he could do what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it.  However, the reality is that no one in our society had a more regimented life. 

The concept of being powerful and having self-determination means that we control ourselves without outside interference.  The problem is that as human beings we are constantly engaged and involved with the outside world so we are extremely affected by it to the extent that ignoring outside interference is not a possibility. 

The only way to “avoid” the aforementioned obstruction is to involve oneself with the world in a manner that he or she controls.  In other words, a regimented lifestyle is actually the key to escape being manipulated.  The kohein has more laws than other Jews, and the Kohein Gadol had even more rules than his fellow kohanim.  Nevertheless, this reality is the key to understanding the supremacy of the kohanim, not their restrictions.  It is precisely their multitude of restrictions that gives them more self-determination and thereby the higher rank.

Our people are referred to as “mamleches kohanim,” a kingdom of priests. This distinction is partially related to the limitations placed upon us.  At first glance they appear to be inhibiting, but we can learn a different lesson by paying attention to the message of kohanim.  If we could see the kohein again as he performs his routine, if we could smell the korbonos, if we could experience his leadership in the ideal way, then we can experience that all important model that living a life as an agent of God is in fact an ideal worth cherishing.  Let us strive to appreciate the great loss that was the example set by the service of the kohanim.