View source for Relationship Between Vayikra 1-5 and 6-7/2

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<page type="Approaches">
<h1>Relationship Between Vayikra 1-5 and 6-7</h1>
<div><b><center><span class="highlighted-notice">This topic has not yet undergone editorial review</span></center></b></div>

<approaches>

<category>Complement Vayikra 1-5
<p>The laws of Vayikra 6-7 complement those in Vayikra 1-5.&#160; The directives of Vayikra 1-5 focus on the bringing and preparation of the sacrifice, while the laws of Chapters 6-7 focus on the apportioning of the sacrifices.</p>
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RambanVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:2</a><a href="RambanVayikra6-18" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:18</a><a href="RambanVayikra7-38" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7:38</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, perhaps&#160;<multilink><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Akeidat Yitzchak</a><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Vayikra Peirush 6</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Arama (Akeidat Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Arama</a></multilink>,<fn>Akeidat Yitzchak speaks at length about how Vayikra 6-7 revolve around the allocation of the sacrifices to the priest. However, he does not say explicitly that this is why this unit is separated form Vayikra 1-5.</fn> <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra6Introduction" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra6Introduction" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6 Introduction</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra6-13" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:13</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra7-22" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7:22</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra6" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoVayikra6" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6</a><a href="SefornoVayikra7" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:2</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra7-37" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7:37</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShadalVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalVayikra6-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:2</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSRHirschVayikra6-1" data-aht="source">R. S.R. Hirsch</a><a href="RSRHirschVayikra6-1" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6:1</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch</a></multilink></mekorot>
	<point><b>Target of the command</b> – The laws of Vayikra 1-5 are directed at lay Israelites ("דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל") who bring the sacrifices,<fn>As such, too, the phrases "וְנֶפֶשׁ כִּי" and "אָדָם כִּי" repeat numerous times (see Vayikra 1:2, 2:1, 4:2, and 5:1) in the unit.</fn> while the commands of Vayikra 6-7 are aimed at the&#160;priests ("צַו אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו") who apportion them. This accords with the focus of each unit.</point>
	<point><b>Order of the sacrifices</b> – The sacrifices in Parashat Vayikra are listed according to the level of obligation mandating their offering, while those of Parashat Tzav are ordered according to whom each is apportioned. Again, this is in line with the theme of each unit. <br/>
<ul>
<li>Thus, Vayikra 1-5 moves from voluntary offerings (<i>Olah</i>, <i>Minchah</i> and <i>Shelamim</i>) to obligatory sacrifices brought as atonement for sin (<i>Chatat</i> and <i>Asham</i>).<fn>This subdivision also explains why there is a new heading in Chapter 4:1 (וַיְדַבֵּר י״י אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר.); it serves to divide the obligatory offerings from the voluntary ones.&#160; The two sections are further distinguished by different guiding words.&#160; Throughout the first section the various offerings are repeatedly described as "אִשֵּׁי י״י" or "אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַי״י", while in the second section, we are repeatedly told: "וְכִפֶּר עֲלֵהֶם הַכֹּהֵן... וְנִסְלַח לוֹ".</fn></li>
<li>In contrast, Parashat Tzav moves from קדשי קדשים to קדשים קלים.&#160; The <i>Olah</i> is listed first as it is offered totally to Hashem.<fn>Only the skin is given to the priest.</fn>&#160; The <i>Minchah and Chatat</i> follow as there are examples of each which are for God exclusively<fn>The <i>Minchah</i> of the <i>Kohen Mashiach</i> (Vayikra 6:12-16) and the internal <i>Chataot</i> (Vayikra 6:23) are given totally to Hashem.</fn> and others that are shared also by the priest.<fn>One might have thought that within the discussion of <i>Menachot</i> and <i>Chataot</i>, the first sacrifices mentioned would have been those which are given to Hashem exclusively, yet the opposite is true.&#160; This is likely because the majority of these sacrifices are partaken of also by the priest, while those which are given totally to Hashem are the exception, not the norm.&#160; It is even possible that they are only mentioned here to serve as a contrast to those sacrifices from which the priest eats.</fn> The <i>Asham</i>, which is always divided between Hashem and the priest, comes next, while the unit closes with the <i>Shelamim</i> which is shared also by the lay Israelite.<fn>The Shelamim's unique status as קדשים קלים would explain why there are several concluding verses (<a href="Vayikra7-8-10" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7:8-10</a>) which separate it from the previous discussion.&#160; In addition, as it is this only offering of which an Israelite might partake, there are two sections, each with a new opening, (Vayikra 7:22-27 and 7:28-34) aimed at them specifically, warning that they may nonetheless not eat the portions meant for Hashem or the priest.</fn></li>
</ul></point>
	<point><b>Sacrificial procedure</b> – On the whole, Vayikra 1-5 details the sacrificial procedure for each offering, while Vayikra 6-7 does not. This is logical if we assume that Vayikra 6-7 revolves mainly around the allocating of the portions and not the dynamics of the offering itself. This position, though, must explain two exceptions to the rule: the <i>Minchah</i> whose procedure is mentioned in both units, and the <i>Asham</i>, whose protocol is mentioned only in Vayikra 6-7:<br/>
<ul>
<li><b>The Minchah</b>&#160;– As the <i>Minchah</i> is a meal offering which does not require slaughter, sprinkling of blood, or the like, its preparation is basically equivalent to its allotment between the altar and the priest, and so it is mentioned in both units.<fn>This position might also suggest that since the <i>Minchah</i> of the <i>Kohen Mashiach</i> is distinct in being given exclusively to Hashem, it was important to elaborate by the discussion of the regular <i>Menachot</i> so it would be clear that these are divided between the altar and priest. As such, more details than usual are provided regarding the procedure itself, as this clarifies what is given to whom.</fn>&#160; As such, too, parts of the procedure which are unrelated to the apportioning, such as the placing of oil and&#160;frankincense on the offering, are omitted in Parashat Tzav.&#160;</li>
<li><b>The Asham</b> – It is not clear, according to this position, why the <i>Asham</i>'s sacrificial procedure is mentioned in Vayikra 6 and not in Vayikra 5, where expected.</li>
</ul></point>
	<point><b>Reasons for bringing the offerings</b> – As expected, only in Parashat Vayikra do the verses explain why the various sacrifices are brought, listing the sins and circumstances which mandate bringing a <i>Chatat</i> or<i> Asham</i>.</point>
	<point><b>Object to be sacrificed</b> – As Vayikra 1-5 focuses on the bringing of the sacrifice, it is only these verses which distinguish between the different animals which can be brought for each sacrifice and the various types of meal offerings.<fn>Vayikra 7:9-10 does mention the various types of <i>Menachot</i>, but only as part of a summary statement.&#160; It does not, though, delve individually into the laws of each.</fn></point>
	<point><b>Minchat Kohen Mashiach and ShalmeiTodah</b> – Both the <i>Minchah</i> of the <i>Kohen Mashiach</i> and the Thanksgiving Offering, a type of <i>Shelamim</i>, are mentioned only in Parashat Tzav.&#160; This position would explain that since each of these has certain laws regarding the allocation of the sacrifice that distinguish it from other offerings in its category,<fn>As opposed to most <i>Menachot</i> which are divided between the altar and the priest, this <i>Minchah</i> is given totally to Hashem.&#160; The Thanksgiving Offering is unique in that it is accompanied by loaves of bread, unlike other <i>Shelamim</i> offerings.&#160; These loaves are also given to the priest, and thus the offering is discussed here.</fn> they needed to be mentioned individually as a contrast to the other similar offerings.<fn>See <multilink><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Akeidat Yitzchak</a><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Vayikra Peirush 6</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Arama (Akeidat Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Arama</a></multilink>.</fn>&#160; They are omitted from Parashat Vayikra because this distinction is irrelevant there, as the unit does not focus on the apportioning of the sacrifice.<fn>We would not have expected the sacrifices of the newly anointed priest to be found in Parashat Vayikra regardless, as those chapters revolve around the lay Israelite and his bringing of sacrifices, while this offering is unique to the priest. [According to Chazal, the verses refer not only to the inaugural offering of every priest but to the daily <i>minchat chavitin</i>, which was brought by the High Priest.&#160; Regardless, the sacrifice is never brought by a layman.]</fn></point>
	<point><b>Guiding word - "זֹאת תּוֹרַת"</b> – This phrase repeats throughout the unit of Vayikra 6-7,<fn>See Vayikra 6:2, 6:7, 6:18, 7:1,7:11,and 7:37.</fn> yet never appears in Vayikra 1-5.&#160; As the phase is often understood to mean "procedure",<fn>See its usage in Vayikra 12:7, 13:59, 15:32, Bemidbar 5:29 and Bemidbar 6:13.&#160; In each o fthese cases the verse either introduces or concludes the description of a purification process or other cultic procedure.</fn> this is somewhat surprising considering that it is specifically in Parashat Vayikra that most of the sacrificial procedures are enumerated. However, translated literally, the words "זֹאת תּוֹרַת" simply mean "this is the teaching" or "laws of..." and, as such, in context, might refer to the laws of allocating each sacrifice.<fn>See <multilink><a href="ChizkuniVayikra7-37" data-aht="source">Chizkuni</a><a href="ChizkuniVayikra7-37" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7:37</a><a href="R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach (Chizkuni)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach</a></multilink>,&#160;<multilink><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Akeidat Yitzchak</a><a href="AkeidatYitzchakVayikraPeirush6" data-aht="source">Vayikra Peirush 6</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Arama (Akeidat Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Arama</a></multilink> and&#160;<multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra6" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoVayikra6" data-aht="source">Vayikra 6</a><a href="SefornoVayikra7" data-aht="source">Vayikra 7</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink> who appear to understand the phrase in this manner. For example, Akeidat Yitzchak writes, "זאת תורת וחוק הראוי לינתן למקריב העולה".</fn></point>
	<point><b>Offering of the Ashes and eternal fire</b> – As the process of removing the ashes has nothing to do with the lay Israelite's bringing of the sacrifice, it is not mentioned in Vayikra 1-5.&#160; Moreover, as the ashes highlight how the entire offering had been given to Hashem, it is appropriate to the discussions of Parashat Tzav.</point>
	<point><b>Ohel Moed vs. Har Sinai</b> – It is not clear why one set of laws would be given at Har Sinai and the other in the Ohel Moed. Ramban<fn>This is one of three explanations that he brigns.&#160; He also notes Chzal's understanding that the verse only mentions Mt. Sinai to teach that all the laws were originally taught to Moshe on the mountain and then repeated again in the Tabernacle.</fn> attempts to explain that really the two phrases refer to the same place, the Tabernacle.<fn>One could have also suggested the opposite, that both phrases refer to Mt. Sinai, and that when Vayikra 1:1 speaks of the Ohel Moed, it is referring to Moshe's personal tent which was set up at the mountain (see Shemot 33:7-11). The advantage of this reading is that it allows one to suggest that all the laws of the sacrifices might have been commanded before the erection of the Tabernacle.&#160; As these laws were to be utilized as soon as the Tabernacle was erected (sacrifices were brought during the dedication itself), it is logical that they were relayed earlier.</fn>&#160; When the verses speaks of Mt. Sinai, it means in front of the mountain,<fn>Ramban points to Bemidbar 10:33 and Devarim 1:6 which similarly mention the "mountain" but really refer to the area surrounding it.</fn> where the Ohel Moed was stationed.<fn>He further suggests that verse 38 mentions "במדבר סיני" rather than "בהר סיני" for this very reason - to teach that the laws were not said on the mountain itself, but in its vicinity in the Wilderness.</fn></point>
	<point><b>The conclusion: "זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה לָעֹלָה... וְלַמִּלּוּאִים"</b> – The inclusion of the special consecration offering (<i>Miliuim)</i> in the summary sentences of Vayikra 7 is difficult for this position, as there is no mention of the <i>Miluim</i> in either Parashat Vayikra or Parashat Tzav.</point>
</category>
<category>Supplement Shemot 29
<p>The laws of Vayikra 6-7 supplement the laws regarding the Days of Consecration in Shemot 29, adding laws specific to the priest which were relevant not only for this ceremony but for future generations as well. The laws of Vayikra 1-5 are detached from the ceremony and focus instead on laws governing the individual's bringing of sacrifices throughout the generations</p>
<mekorot>R. D"Z Hoffmann</mekorot>
	<point><b>Distinct sets of laws</b></point>
	<point><b>Ohel Moed vs. Har Sinai</b> – R. Hoffmann's hypothesis is based on this distinction in the location in which each set of laws was given.&#160; Since the verses teach that the laws of Vayikra 6-7 were given on Mt. Sinai, he concludes that they were given before, and not together with, the laws of Vayikra 1-5.&#160; As such, they serve to supplement not these chapters but rather Shemot 29 which was similarly relayed on the mountain. Vayikra 1-5, in contrast were only commanded after the Tabernacle was built and the people could begin to offer sacrifices.</point>
	<point><b>The conclusion: "זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה לָעֹלָה... וְלַמִּלּוּאִים"</b> – R. Hoffmann suggests that the inclusion of the <i>Miluim</i> in the closing verses of Vayikra 6-7 proves that the verses form a conclusion not just to these chapters but also to Shemot 29 which discusses the <i>Miluim </i>in detail.&#160; As such, all three chapters form one unit and were commanded together.</point>
	<point><b>"זֹאת מִשְׁחַת אַהֲרֹן וּמִשְׁחַת בָּנָיו...&#160; בְּיוֹם מׇשְׁחוֹ"</b> – This verse, too, clearly connects Chapters 6-7 to the events of the Days of Consecration mandated in Shemot 29.</point>
	<point><b>Why here?</b> This position must explain why Vayikra 6-7 is separated from Shemot 29, if the laws were given together.&#160; R.&#160; Hoffmann answers that though both sets of chapters are aimed at the priests and elaborate on their service, Shemot 29&#160; only includes those laws which were needed for the Days of Consecration themselves, while Vayikra 6-7 adds those laws which are relevant for all time.<fn>One might question why then the daily Olah offering (עולת תמיד), which is for all generations,&#160; is mentioned in Shemot 29.&#160; However, considering the fundamental role played&#160; by the Olat Tamid in inviting Hashem's presence to dwell in the MIshkan, it is logical why it would close the unit on the MIshkan in Shemot.</fn></point>
	<point><b>"דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" vs.&#160; "צַו אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת בָּנָיו"</b> – Though both Vayikra 1-5 and 6-7 deal with law which are relevant to all generations (and not only the days of the Mishkan's consecration), the first unit is targeted at the lay Israelite and the second at the priests.</point>
	<point><b>Why doesn't Vayikra 6-7 precede Vayikra 1-5?</b> According to this approach one would have expected the laws of Parashat Vayikra to follow those in Parashat Tzav, as per the order in which they were commanded. However, it is possible that once Vayikra 6-7 was detached from Shemot 29, when writing the Torah for future generations, it made more sense to begin with laws aimed at the nation's bringing of sacrifices and only afterwards to include the laws aimed at the priests and their portions.<fn>See Samet...</fn></point>
	<point><b>"וְהִשְׁלִיךְ אֹתָהּ אֵצֶל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ קֵדְמָה אֶל מְקוֹם הַדָּשֶׁן"</b> – R. Hoffman points to this verse as proof that the laws of Vayikra 1-5 were given after those of Vayikra 6-7 and are aware of them. The verse assumes knowledge of the place where the ashes of the Olah were brought, even though this is mentioned nowhere in this unit and only in Parashat Tzav.</point>
	<point><b>Sacrificial procedure</b> – The sacrificial procedures are laid out twice, once in the context of the lay Israelite (Vayikra 1-5) and once in relation to the priests (Shemot 29 and Vayikra 6-7).<br/>
<ul>
<li>Vayikra 6-7 omits the procedures for most of the sacrifices not because they are mentioned in 1-5 (which was only given later) but because they were relayed already in Shemot 29.&#160; The <i>Minchah</i> and <i>Asham</i> are exceptional because they were not offered during the Consecration ceremony. As such, their procedures are not discussed in Shemot 29, but are instead relayed in Vayikra 6, together with the other laws aimed at the priests which were relevant for all generations.<fn>Nonetheless the various sub-types of<i> Menachot</i> are mentioned only in Parashat Vayikra since these are relevant mainly to the person bringing the offering (the focus of those chapters) and not to the priest.</fn>&#160;</li>
<li>Though the laws of Vayikra 1-5 are given after the laws of Shemot 29 and Parashat Tzav, they also mention the protocol for each sacrifice, since here these laws are aimed at the lay Israelite rather than the priest. Since only in these chapters is there a distinction between the types of animals that might be brought for each sacrifice, it was necessary to distinguish between the various processes for each. It is possible that the protocol regarding the <i>Asham</i> is omitted because it might be considered a sub-type of <i>Chatat,<fn>Throughout the discussion of both offerings both roots אשם and חטא appear interchangeably.</fn></i> whose sacrificial process was already discussed.<fn>See</fn> &#160;</li>
</ul></point>
	<point><b>Elaboration regarding the Daily Olah Offering</b> – This specific Olah is discussed at length in Parashat Tzav (but not at all in Parashat Vayikra), just as it is dicsused</point>
	<point><b>Minchat Kohen Mashiach</b></point>
	<point><b>כי איל מלאים הוא</b></point>
</category>
</approaches>
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