* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Vayikra For the week ending 9 Adar Sheini 5755 10 & 11 March 1995 ========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. For which sins does the "free-will" burnt offering atone? 2. May a non-Kohen assist in bringing an animal Korban? 3. The Kohanim were commanded to bring fire on the Mizbe'ach. From where else did the fire come? 4. At what stage of their development are torim (turtledoves) and bnei yona (young pigeons) unfit as Korbanos? 5. How does the Kohen slaughter a bird offering? 6. Why does the Torah use the term "nefesh" (soul) in connection with the bringing of a Minchah (meal) "free-will offering"? 7. When a person vows to offer a Minchah, what must he bring? 8. How much of the free-will Minchah offering is burned on the Mizbe'ach? 9. May a non-Kohen assist in a Minchah offering? 10. The Torah forbids mixing "honey" with the Minchah. What type of "honey"? 11. When does the Torah permit the bringing of leavened bread as an offering? 12. Why is the peace offering called a "Shlamim"? 13. For most Korbanos, the Kohen may use a service vessel to apply the blood on the Mizbe'ach. For which Korban may he apply the blood only with his finger? 14. Who is obligated to bring a Chatas (sin offering)? 15. For which sins is one obligated to bring a Korban Oleh V'yored? 16. Which bird offering requires the sprinkling of blood? 17. How does a flour sin-offering differ from a Minchah offering? 18. What is the minimum value of a Korban Asham? 19. When a person misuses holy property, how much must he pay to reimburse the Temple treasury? 20. Who is required to bring a Korban Asham? Bonus QUESTION: The Torah forbids the offering of honey and leaven along with the Minchah offering. Why? I Did Not Know That! "You shall slaughter it (the Chatas) in the place that you slaughter the Olah (4:24)." The reason the Chatas is slaughtered on the north side of the Mizbe'ach is because the Olah is slaughtered there. This is to protect the sinner from embarrassment. Onlookers will not know if a person isn't bringing a Chatas but an Olah. Rashi (Sota 32b) ========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 1:4 - For failing to perform a positive commandment and for transgressing "a negative commandment that is reparable by performing a positive commandment". 2. 1:5 - A non-Kohen may assist in the avoda until the "receiving of the blood". From then on, the avoda is the exclusive duty of the Kohanim. 3. 1:7 - The fire also descended from heaven. 4. 1:14 - When their plumage becomes a golden color. At that stage the bnei yona are too old and the turim are still too young. 5. 1:15 - Through the process of "melika." With his fingernail the Kohen cuts the nape of the neck. 6. 2:1 - This Minchah is usually brought by the poor. Hashem values it as if the person has offered his entire soul (nefesh). 7. 2:1,2:2 - Fine wheat flour mixed with oil on which frankincense is added. 8. 2:1 - A "kometz" (fistful) of the fine flour and oil mixture and all the frankincense. 9. 2:2 - A non-Kohen may mix the Minchah until the taking of a "kometz" (fistful). From then on, the avoda is the exclusive duty of the Kohanim. 10. 2:11 - Any sweetness from a fruit. 11. 2:12 - On Shavous. 12. 3:1 - Two reasons: a) It brings "shalom" (peace) to the world. b) It also creates peace between the Mizbe'ach, the Kohen, and the owner of the Korban since each receives a share. 13. 3:8 - The "Chatas". 14. 4:2 - A person who transgressed a negative commandment must bring a Korban Chatas. This only applies to negative commandments whose intentional violation is punished with Kares. 15. 5:1-4 - a) One who refrains from giving evidence when implored by oath b) One who enters the Beis Hamikdash or eats Kodesh food after unknowingly contracting "tuma" (spiritual impurity) by touching certain "tamei" (spiritually impure) things; c) One who unknowingly violates his oath. 16. 5:9 - The Chatas. 17. 5:11 - The flour sin-offering has no oil or frankincense. 18. 5:15 - Two shekels. 19. 5:16 - The value of the article plus one fifth more. 20. 5:17 - A person who is in doubt whether he unintentionally transgressed a negative commandment must bring a Korban Asham. This only applies to negative commandments whose intentional violation is punished with Kares. Bonus ANSWER: Idol worshippers used to bring Minchah offerings mixed with honey and leaven to sacrifice to their gods. The Torah forbids the offering of honey or leaven along with the Minchah in order to distance the Jewish People from their practices. Moreh HaNevuchim ========================================================================== What do you do with Parsha Q&A? Ariela ben-Eliezer of Shilo, Israel faxed us: "We love Torah Weekly, Parsha Q&A, Weekly Daf & Ask the Rabbi & wait anxiously for it to arrive each week. Our Shabbat wouldn't be complete without discussing the Parsha Q&As & sharing the commentaries, etc. Please keep up the good work... we're benefiting from it tremendously. Your efforts are enriching the Torah in our lives... for our entire family! Bivracha," What do you do with Parsha Q&A? 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