The Torah commands in Parashat Emor (Vayikra 22:10), “Ve’chol Zar Lo Yochal Kodesh” – that a “foreigner,” meaning, somebody who is not a Kohen, may not partake of the sacred food designated for the Kohanim. This refers to Teruma – the portion of agricultural produce given to a Kohen – and Bikkurim – the first fruits, which are brought to the Bet Ha’mikdash and given to a Kohen. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that the Torah forbade non-Kohanim from eating Teruma out of respect for this hallowed food. As this food is considered sacred, it is worthy of being reserved for the Kohanim, who minister before G-d in the Bet Ha’mikdash, and for the members of their households. This includes a Kohen’s Ebed Kena’ani (non-Jewish servant), who is considered “Kinyan Kaspo” – the property of the Kohen, and is therefore entitled to eat his master’s Teruma. He is permitted to eat Teruma as long as he legally belongs to a Kohen, even if he runs away. A Kohen’s Ebed Ibri (Jewish servant), however, does not eat Teruma, because he is an employee, and not under the Kohen’s ownership. A Kohen’s wife may eat Teruma, even if she was not born into a family of Kohanim. As long as she is legally married to a Kohen, she may eat Teruma, even if she is a Moredet – meaning, no longer living with her husband. Even if she is married to a Kohen at a very young age (from three years of age and above), she may eat Teruma. Torah law permits a woman to eat Teruma once she is betrothed by a Kohen, even before they are married. However, the Sages enacted that a Kohen’s Arusa (betrothed bride) does not eat Teruma until they are married. If a Kohen’s daughter had relations with somebody with whom relations are forbidden, she becomes disqualified from eating Teruma for the rest of her life. A Kohen who pulled his foreskin down over the area of his circumcision, to make it appears as though he had never undergone Berit Mila, may not eat Teruma. The Sages enacted this provision as a penalty against somebody who scorned his Berit Mila in this fashion. A non-Kohen who intentionally eats Teruma is liable to Mita Bi’ydeh Shamayim (“death by the hands of G-d,” as opposed to court execution), and must repay the value of the Teruma which he ate. If the Teruma had already been given to a Kohen, then the violator pays the value to the Kohen who owned the Teruma. If the food he ate had been designated as Teruma but had yet to be given to a Kohen, then he is not required to pay anybody, because the Teruma had not belonged to anybody, and there is thus nobody to claim the owed sum. However, the Aharonim (later scholars) write that it is proper for the violator to pay a Kohen the value of what he ate. Interestingly, if a non-Kohen ate Teruma mistakenly, then he must pay not only the value of what he ate, but also a penalty of a Homesh (one-fifth). The commentators explain that one who intentionally violated this prohibition is not given the opportunity to earn atonement by paying a penalty, because he violated such a grievous sin. It is only one who violated accidentally who is allowed to earn expiation by paying a Homesh. This prohibition applies to all Kohanim, both male and female, and anywhere where there is Teruma Mi’de’Orayta (on the level of Torah law).