Yissachar of Kfar Barkai and King Yannai
A kohein gadol asked whether goat or lamb tastes better mocks King Yannai with a gesture, and the angry king orders both his hands cut off.
Yissachar from the village of Barkai was the kohein gadol. He would wrap his right hand in silk while performing the priestly service to prevent them from being soiled. This seemingly minor innovation actually disqualified the service. Nothing is allowed to come between the kohein’s own flesh and the sacrifices he is offering. As Divine retribution, his right hand was ordered severed by King Yannai.
How did this come about?
King Yannai and his queen were talking when an argument broke out between them: Which meat tastes better—goat or lamb? King Yannai opined that goat meat is superior, while his wife disagreed. They decided to ask the kohein gadol since he partook of goat and lamb sacrifices. Yissachar declared, “If goat would be superior then it would be used for the tamid offering.” He also made a dismissive gesture with his hand, indicating that he viewed the king’s position as being ridiculous. The king was deeply offended and ordered that Yissachar’s right hand be cut off as punishment for the gesture. Yissachar bribed the king’s officer to cut off his left hand instead. When the king found out, he ordered that both hands be severed.
Rav Ashi commented that it was Yissachar’s ignorance of Torah knowledge that caused him to err. The mishnah at the end of Kerisus states specifically that lambs are not considered superior to goats; either one is equally acceptable as a sacrifice.