Guide
Priority in Reading
1st–6th Centuries
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
The Mishnah on Priority in Reading
m. Gittin 5:8
These were the rules they laid down because of the ways of peace: A priest is called up first to read the Torah and after him a Levite and then an Israelite, because of the ways of peace.
Primary Source
The Talmud on Priority in Reading
b. Gittin 59b
Abaye said [that] we have a tradition [that if] there is no priest there [in the synagogue at the time of the Torah reading], the bundle is separated [i.e., a Levite is not shown precedence over…
Related Guide
Priests (Kohanim) in the Early Synagogue
1st–6th Centuries