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If the annointed Kohen will sin, bringing guilt upon the people; for his sin that he committed he shall offer a young bull, unblemished, to Hashem as a sin-offering. (4:3)

The Ramban notes that regarding the Kohen Gadol’s transgression, the Torah does not end the process of korban and atonement with the phrase, “And he shall provide him atonement for his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.”  Regarding the Kohen Hedyot, common Kohen, Nasi, ruler, or entire kahal, community, the Torah does use this phrase.  He explains that, indeed, the Kohen Gadol, who provides the standard for spiritual dimension in Klal Yisrael, cannot receive atonement just by bringing a korban.  No; he needs more than the average Jew.  He must implore Hashem to forgive him; he must pray fervently…

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When a person will sin unintentionally from among all the commandments of Hashem that may not be done, and he commits one of them. (4:2)

The Torah arranged the various korbanos according to individual transgression, distinguishing also between the offering brought by the rich man and his poor counterpart.  The commentators delve into the hidden rationale behind the korbanos and their relationship to the various sins for which they atone.   In his exposition on korbanos, The Sefer Ha’chinuch makes a compelling statement.  He writes that the concept of korbanos, of slaughtering and offering an animal upon the mizbayach, should invoke and inspire within us a more profound understanding of the nature of a human being.  Essentially, man and animal has much in common – physically. …

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When a person offers a meal-offering to Hashem…and the Kohen shall cause its memorial portion to go up in smoke on the altar, a fire offering, a satisfying aroma to Hashem. (2:1,2)

Rashi notes the use of the word “nefesh,” soul, in reference to the Korban Minchah.  Indeed, the Torah uses this word only in regard to the Korban Minchah.  A meal-offering is the most inexpensive of all korbanos.  It is the korban of choice for the poor man who seeks to donate whatever he can put together as a korban.  Hashem recognizes the source of this korban – the nefesh – of the person who gave so much of himself, because he had nothing else to give.  The “azkarah,” remembrance — which consists of the scoop of the offering — is…

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When any man of you offers an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

Horav Ovadiah Yosef, Shlita, cites a powerful analogy to give a profound meaning to this pasuk.  A man once entered a department store and requested that the salesperson show him their best mirror.  The salesperson returned with a very impressive mirror.  The customer took one look at it, frowned and returned it saying this is not what he wants.  The salesperson queried, “What is wrong with this mirror that you rejected it so fast?”  The would-be customer responded, “I see a strange image in this mirror.”  Upon hearing this, the salesperson took one look at the  man standing before him: …

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And He (Hashem) called to Moshe. (1:1)

The Midrash notes the fact that Moshe Rabbeinu had as many as ten names, each one characterizing a different one of his traits.  Hashem told him that regardless of his many names, He would refer to him only by the name that Bisya bas Pharaoh had given him – Moshe.  Referring to drawing him  from the water, “ki min hamayim meshisihu,” she called him Moshe, which is related to “meshisihu,” “drew him” (from the water). While this name is important, it only reflects Bisya’s act of saving him, so it should not take precedence over the other names that address…

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