Because of their unique status as ritual functionaries, the priests had to maintain a high standard of purity. As contact with the dead was a source of ritual defilement, the priests were only permitted to attend the funerals of their closest relatives. The High Priest was held to an even higher standard: he was not permitted to attend anyone's funeral.

Any physical defect disqualified a priest from functioning in an official capacity, just as any physical defect in an animal rendered it unfit for sacrifice. Sacred food (donated, dedicated or sacrificed) could only be eaten by those members of the priests' families who themselves were in a state of ritual purity.

The holidays: Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot - are enumerated.

The people are reminded of their obligation to provide olive oil for the Sanctuary's menorah to keep it burning continually. The showbread, changed each week, was to be made of twelve loaves arranged in two rows.

During a quarrel a man blasphemes God. He is placed in custody until his penalty is disclosed: blasphemy, like murder, is punishable by death.