Editing Kohen (section)

=== Qualifications and disqualifications ===
{{Main|Kohanic disqualifications}}
Although kohanim may assume their duties once they reached physical maturity, the fraternity of kohanim generally would not allow young kohanim to begin service until they reached the age of twenty<ref>Talmud Bavli [[Hullin]] [https://www.sefaria.org/Chullin.24b.5 24b], [[Mishneh Torah]], Hilchoth Klei HaMiqdash 5:15</ref> or thirty.<ref>{{Alhatorah|Deuteronomy|18:8|Chizkuni}}; similar to [[Levites]] who began working at age 30 ({{bibleverse|Numbers|4:3,30|HE}})</ref> There was no mandatory retirement age. Only when a kohen became physically infirm could he no longer serve.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]], Hilchoth Biath HaMiqdash 7:12, and Hilchoth Klei HaMiqdash 3:8 (Chullin 24b mentions no disqualification due to age)</ref>

A kohen may become disqualified from performing his service for a host of reasons, including [[Tumah|ritual impurity]],<ref>{{Bibleverse|Leviticus|22:3-9|HE}}</ref> prohibited marriages, and certain physical blemishes.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Leviticus|21:17-23|HE}}</ref> The kohen is never permanently disqualified from service, but may return to his normal duties once the disqualification ceases.