Shabbat Parashat Tzav - 5782

Shabbat Parashat Tzav - 5782

Rabbi Hal Miller

Any meal offering that is baked in the oven and any that is made in a

deep pan or upon a shallow pan, it shall belong to the Kohen who offers

it, it shall be his. [Vayikra 7:9]

And any meal offering that is mixed with oil or that is dry, it shall belong to

all of Aharon's sons, every man alike.​ [Vayikra [7:10]

At first glance, these two verses seem to conflict. Who gets the meal after

the offering is made, the one who offers it or all of the Kohanim? Further,

both verses give inclusionary language that seems to include everything, so

why is this necessary?

On the first question, Rashi says that when the verse says "to the Kohen who

offers it", one might think to him alone. The next verse says "to all of Aharon's

sons", so one might think everything goes to all Kohanim. He brings the Torat

Kohanim to say that together the verses mean that all these offerings go to the

extended family of the one who offers it, meaning the mishmar, the duty section

of Kohanim that day.

Ramban disagrees. He sees these two verses as describing two different kinds of

offerings, the first goes to the one who offers them, and the second to the mishmar.

This answer is directly tied to our second question, the definition of these offerings.

On this, initially Rashi and Ramban appear to agree. The baked and pan-fried meal

offerings are for vows, and are thus voluntary offerings. The non-cooked offerings,

whether mixed with oil or not, are for required offerings, whether for bikkurim (first

fruits) or for various types of sins, some of which have oil and some of which do not.

Our verses should be understood as voluntary offerings however prepared, and

mandatory offerings however prepared based on their requirements.

The difference in these opinions is who gets what. Rashi lumps everything together

for distribution, Ramban splits it by type.

Everyone seems to agree that "all of Aharon's sons, every man alike" refers only to

the family on duty at the time. Everyone seems to agree that the lists of offerings are

supposed to be all inclusive. Whether one Kohen gets extra for doing the work or

they all share, and for which offerings, will have to be left for the upcoming Third

Temple for resolution.