Vayikra – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayikra

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayikra

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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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayikra

And He (Hashem) called to Moshe and He spoke to him from the Ohel Moed. (1:1)

The Yalkut comments that actually Moshe had been given ten names, each expressing a different attribute. Yet, Hashem called him by one name–Moshe. The Almighty chose the name that was given to Moshe by Bisyah bas Pharaoh, which refers to her drawing him from the water: “ki min ha’mayim meshisihu,” “for I have drawn him from the water.” This became the name by which Klal Yisrael’s quintessential leader, the Almighty’s eved ne’eman–faithful servant, was to be called. Why? Was there no other name that described Moshe’s character, devotion, self-sacrifice, leadership ability, teaching skills, etc.? Also, the name “Moshe” does not…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayikra

Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and say to them, A man from you who will bring close an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

Rashi explains the Torah’s emphasis upon the word “adam”, man, as an allusion to Adam Ha’Rishon. His korban did not have a tinge of impropriety connected to it, since everything belonged to him. So, too, may we not offer any korbanos from that which is not rightfully ours. We may question the Torah’s choice of word–adam–as the point of reference for teaching us that we may not use that which is stolen. Throughout the Torah, we derive the prohibition from using that which is gezel, stolen, from the word “la’chem,” yours. That which we use for a mitzvah must belong…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayikra

A soul that will offer a meal offering to Hashem. (2:1)

Rashi comments that the word “nefesh,” soul, is not mentioned in regard to any Korbanos Nedavah, free-willed offerings, except for a Korban Minchah, meal offering. This is because usually the one who brings a meal offering is a poor man. Hashem says that He considers the poor man’s offering as if he had offered his soul as a korban. Simply put, this is because the poor man, regardless of the minimal value of his offering, contributed relatively more than his wealthy counterpart. Consequently, his korban represents a more significant sacrifice. Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, zl, supplements this idea.. When the…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayikra

When a ruler sins…unintentionally, and becomes guilty. (4:22)

Rashi notes that the pasuk which addresses the sin committed by the Nasi/leader of the people begins with the word “asher,” whereas the previous pesukim began with the word “im,” if. He cites the Sifra that says that the word “asher” alludes to “ashrei,” fortunate. This implies that a generation whose leadership is concerned and seeks atonement — even for their unknown sins — is truly fortunate. The Noam Elimelech gives insight into the “good fortune” of the generation whose leader atones for the sins. A distance, an insurmountable breach, exists between the tzaddik, the righteous, pious man, and the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayikra

He called to Moshe. (1:1)

In this pasuk, the Torah spells Hashem’s summons to Moshe with a miniature aleph. The smaller size of this letter makes it stand out as if it were a word by itself. Horav Yosef Zundel Salant, zl, interprets the aleph’s size in a novel manner. He cites the Midrash in Sefer Eichah in which Chazal extol the significance of young children in the eyes of Hashem. They say that when the Sanhedrin was exiled from Yerushalayim, the Shechinah did not accompany them. Likewise, when the mishmaros, who were the various “watches” of Kohanim that served in the Bais Hamikdash, were…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayikra

He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him. (1:1)

The third Sefer of the five Chumashim opens with a summons to Moshe. Interestingly, the word trehu —Vayikra–“He called” is spelled with a small aleph at the end of the word. The commentators all express their insights into this deviation from the norm. We suggest the following reason for the small aleph, especially in light of its position at the beginning of Sefer Vayikra, which deals with sacrifices. The Midrash in the beginning of Vayikra minimizes our obligations as Jews. Chazal relate: Hashem says to Klal Yisrael, “I have given you ten pure animals which you may enjoy. Three of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayikra

When a person offers a meal-offering to Hashem…And he (the Kohen) shall scoop his three-fingersful from it, from its fire-flour and from its oil, as well as from its frankincense; And the Kohen shall cause its memorial portion to go up in smoke upon the altar…. (2:1,2)

The Torah begins the laws of the Korban Minchah, meal-offering. While the Torah lists five varieties of voluntary, personal meal-offerings, they all consist of the same basic ingredients: finely ground wheat flour, oil, and frankincense. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, infers from the word “minchah,” which in the Hebrew language means “gift” or “tribute,” that the meal-offering proclaims the owner’s acknowledgment that his life and all he has is a gift from the Almighty. Grain, a staple of the human diet, represents our very existence. Oil symbolizes comfort, and the frankincense alludes to joy, both gifts from Hashem. We have only…

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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)

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)

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)

And He (Hashem) called to Moshe and He spoke to him from the Ohel Moed. (1:1)

Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and say to them, A man from you who will bring close an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

A soul that will offer a meal offering to Hashem. (2:1)

When a ruler sins…unintentionally, and becomes guilty. (4:22)

He called to Moshe. (1:1)

He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him. (1:1)

When a person offers a meal-offering to Hashem…And he (the Kohen) shall scoop his three-fingersful from it, from its fire-flour and from its oil, as well as from its frankincense; And the Kohen shall cause its memorial portion to go up in smoke upon the altar…. (2:1,2)

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