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Moshe said to Aharon…Cook the meat at the entrance to the Ohel Moed…As I transmitted the command: Aharon and his sons are to eat it. (8:31)

We may note that Moshe Rabbeinu addresses Aharon in the third person, although he is speaking directly to Aharon. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, attributes this discrepancy to the fact that during the seven days of Milluim, Moshe did not function in his usual capacity as transmitter of the law. Rather, he acted as the Kohen Gadol. Moshe appears to Aharon and his sons as the Rabbon Shel Yisrael, the quintessential teacher and transmitter of the law, only in regard to this eating of the Ayil Ha’milluim and its bread. This set the tone for the future, when the Kohen Gadol…

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This is the law of the (korban) Olah, Elevation-offering, the (korban) Minchah, Meal-offering, the (korban) Chatas, Sin-of fering. (7:37)

In the Talmud Menachos 110, Chazal comment that one who studies Torah does not need to bring a Korban Olah, Minchah, or Asham. The Torah study in itself serves as a vehicle for atonement. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, once said, “I thought I would have chassidim who would not listen to the enticements of the yetzer hora, evil inclination, not because they would not want to, but rather, because they would be so involved in Torah study they simply would not have the time to listen!” This may be the underlying message of our pasuk. One who studies Torah will…

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Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

Horav Raphael Katz, zl, the author of the Marpé Lashon, infers a profound lesson in avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty from this pasuk. There are instances during a man’s spiritual growth when, with all good intention, he attempts to “jump the gun” and ascend to a higher spiritual plane for which he is not yet ready. A man must build upon a solid foundation of spiritual development. Otherwise, everything he has done–even his previous accomplishments–will lose its integrity. He proves his thesis from the fact that if a Korban Chatas is offered inside the Heichal, the blood is invalid…

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This is the law of the (korban) Chatas, Sin-Offering; in the place where the (korban) Olah, Elevation-Offering is slaughtered shall the Sin-Offering be slaughtered. (6:18)

The Torah teaches us that we are to slaughter the Korban Chatas in the same place as the Korban Olah–in the northern part of the courtyard. In the Yerushalmi Yevamos 5:3, Chazal comment that the purpose of slaughtering the Olah in the same location as the Chatas is to minimize the publicity that might follow the sinner who seeks to repent and offer his contrition. The Korban Olah was not necessarily brought for any sin or wrongdoing, but rather as a gift to Hashem, especially if one had inappropriate thoughts that left him feeling guilty. Since one rarely escapes sinful…

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Command Aharon and his sons, saying: This is the law of the (Korban) Olah, elevation offering. (6:2)

Chazal attribute the use of the more emphatic form of introduction, um, “command”, to the laws of the Korban Olah, to the urgency of the matter. The Torah exhorts the Kohanim to be especially zealous in performing the Olah service, now, as well as in future generations. The reason for this special emphasis is the monetary loss incurred by the Korban Olah. Chazal offer a number of explanations for this monetary loss. The most common explanation is that nothing remains for the Kohanim after the rest of the Olah is burned on the Mizbayach. Although they receive the hide, it…

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