Parsha Q&A - Parshat Vayikra
Parshat Vayikra
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Parsha Questions
- Who does the word "eilav" in verse 1:1 exclude?
- Name all the types of animals and birds mentioned in this week's Parsha.
- What two types of sin does an olah atone for?
- Where was the olah slaughtered?
- What procedure of an animal-offering can a non-kohen perform?
- Besides the fire the kohanim bring on the altar, where else did the fire come from?
- At what stage of development are torim (turtledoves) and bnei yona (young pigeons) unfit as offerings?
- What is melika?
- Why are animal innards offered on the altar, while bird innards are not?
- Why does the Torah describe both the animal and bird offerings as a "satisfying aroma"?
- Why is the term "nefesh" used regarding the flour offering?
- Which part of the free-will minchah offering is burned on the altar?
- The Torah forbids bringing honey with the minchah. What is meant by "honey"?
- When does the Torah permit bringing a leavened bread offering?
- Concerning shelamim, why does the Torah teach about sheep and goats separately?
- For most offerings the kohen may use a service vessel to apply the blood on the mizbe'ach. For which korban may he apply the blood using only his finger?
- Who is obligated to bring a chatat?
- Where were the remains of the bull burnt while in the wilderness? Where were they burnt during the Beit Hamikdash times?
- What two things does a voluntary minchah have that a minchat chatat lacks?
- What is the minimum value of a korban asham?
Kasha
(kasha means "question")
"Remove (the bird's) intestines and throw them next to the altar...." (1:16)
Birds eat food that they scavenge. Therefore, their intestines are tainted with "theft" and unfit to offer upon the altar. Animals, however, eat food provided by their owners. Therefore, their intestines are fit for the altar (1:16 and Rashi).The above implies that dependence on humans is desirable. How does this fit with the lesson of Noah's dove? Noah's dove returned to the ark with a bitter olive leaf in its mouth, as if to say: "Bitter food provided by Hashem is better than sweet food provided by humans (Rashi, Bereishet 8:11)."
Answer: Independent sustenance is good only if it is earned honestly. (The olive leaf in the mouth of Noah's dove was from an ownerless tree, since all humanity had been destroyed and Noah had not yet claimed ownership.) Charity, however, is preferable to dishonest "independence."
Do you have a KASHA? Write to [email protected] with your questions on any Parsha!
I Did Not Know That!
"If the anointed kohen sins�he shall offer a bull as a sin offering�And take the bull outside the camp�and burn it�" (Leviticus 4:3,12)
The Torah commands that the kohen gadol's sin offering be burned in public, outside the Sanctuary premises, so that no one will be embarrassed to admit his own sin. "Imagine!" a sinner will think, "Even the kohen gadol failed; yet he admitted it and brought an atonement offering. Certainly, I too should admit my failings and bring an atonement."
Ba'al Haturim
Contents
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Answers to this Week's Questions
Questions | ContentsAll references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated
- Who does the word "eilav" in verse 1:1 exclude?
1:1 - Aharon. - Name all the types of animals and birds mentioned in this week's Parsha.
1:2,14, 3:12 - Cattle, sheep, goats, turtledoves (torim), and doves (bnei yona). - What two types of sin does an olah atone for?
1:4 - Neglecting a positive command, and violating a negative command which is rectified by a positive command. - Where was the olah slaughtered?
1:5 - In the Mishkan courtyard (azarah). - What procedure of an animal-offering can a non-kohen perform?
1:5 - Ritual slaughter. - Besides the fire the kohanim bring on the altar, where else did the fire come from?
1:7 - It descended from Heaven. - At what stage of development are torim (turtledoves) and bnei yona (young pigeons) unfit as offerings?
1:14 - When their plumage turns golden. At that stage, bnei yona are too old and torim are too young. - What is melika?
1:15 - Slaughtering a bird from the back of the neck using one's fingernail. - Why are animal innards offered on the altar, while bird innards are not?
1:16 - An animal's food is provided by its owner, so its innards are "kosher." Birds, however, eat food that they scavenge, so their innards are tainted with "theft." - Why does the Torah describe both the animal and bird offerings as a "satisfying aroma"?
1:17 -- To indicate that the size of the offering is irrelevant, provided your heart is directed toward G-d. - Why is the term "nefesh" used regarding the flour offering?
2:1 - Usually, it is a poor person who brings a flour offering. Therefore, Hashem regards it as if he had offered his nefesh (soul). - Which part of the free-will minchah offering is burned on the altar?
2:1 - The kometz (fistful). - The Torah forbids bringing honey with the minchah. What is meant by "honey"?
2:11 - Any sweet fruit derivative. - When does the Torah permit bringing a leavened bread offering?
2:12 - On Shavuot. - Concerning shelamim, why does the Torah teach about sheep and goats separately?
3:7 - Because they differ regarding the alya (fat tail). The lamb's alya is burned on the altar but the goat's is not. - For most offerings the kohen may use a service vessel to apply the blood on the mizbe'ach. For which korban may he apply the blood using only his finger?
3:8 - The chatat. - Who is obligated to bring a chatat?
4:2 - One who accidentally transgresses a negative commandment whose willing violation carries the karet (excision) penalty. - Where were the remains of the bull burnt while in the wilderness? Where were they burnt during the Beit Hamikdash times?
4:12 -- Outside the three camps.
- Outside Jerusalem.
- What two things does a voluntary minchah have that a minchat chatat lacks?
5:11 - Levona and oil. - What is the minimum value of a korban asham?
5:15 - Two shekalim.
Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane &
Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Michael Treblow
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