[Avodah] Cohen demanding a sold aliya

[Akiva Miller via Avodah]

.
R' Ben Waxman asked:
> My Friday night beit knesset sells the Shabbat morning aliyot
> right after kabbalat Shabbat. In this beit knesset, none of the
> members are kohenim. Were a cohen to come to the beit knesset
> on Shabbat morning, would his right to the first aliya (the
> right not be embarrassed) over ride the sale? I would imagine
> no, a sale is a sale. Plus, why should the beit knesset lose
> money?

My first thought is that this is a great example of a question that
should be addressed to the rav of the beit knesset. There are so many
factors that need to be weighed against each other, such as how badly
the shul needs the money, and how many hurt feelings will be created
by giving the wrong answer.

As regards the comment "a sale is a sale" -- I'm not so sure. Sounds
like a "davar shelo ba laolam" to me. Especially since we are
considering the real possibility that a kohen guest might show up,
rendering the auction questionable.

Just my two grush.

Akiva Miller