נחמיה, פרק ז׳, פסוק ס״ה

Following the return from exile, a practical and legal challenge arose regarding individuals who claimed priestly lineage but lacked the documentation to prove it. A definitive ruling on their status was issued by the governor, referred to by the Persian or Aramaic title of honor, the Tirshatha [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. This leader is identified as Nehemiah. According to the tradition of the Sages, Nehemiah had served as the royal cupbearer to the king, a position so unique that the Sages allowed him to drink the wine of non-Jews [מצודת דוד].

Nehemiah instructed these unverified individuals that they were strictly forbidden from eating the most sacred offerings. This restriction applied to items possessing a severe level of holiness, which were reserved exclusively for confirmed priests [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Specifically, this ban prevented them from consuming the priestly tithes and the meat of the altar sacrifices [מצודת דוד].

Because there was no earthly way to prove their lineage with absolute certainty, this prohibition was put in place until a priest could consult the Urim and Thummim. Their status would eventually be clarified through the prophetic power of the Urim and Thummim [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. However, since the Urim and Thummim were no longer present during the era of the Second Temple, this instruction carried a profound practical implication. The wait for their true status to be revealed would ultimately continue until the days of the Messiah [מצודת דוד].