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Exodus 29:41 - Evening sacrifice's holy repetition

Exodus 29:41 - שמות 29:41

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת הַכֶּבֶשׂ הַשֵּׁנִי תַּעֲשֶׂה בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם כְּמִנְחַת הַבֹּקֶר וּכְנִסְכָּהּ תַּעֲשֶׂה־לָּהּ לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

And the other lamb thou shalt offer towards evening, and shalt do to it according the meal offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering of it, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Transliteration

Ve'et hakeves hasheni ta'aseh bein ha'arbayim keminchat haboker uchniskah ta'aseh-lah lere'ach nichoach isheh la'Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵת֙ הַכֶּ֣בֶשׂ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה בֵּ֣ין הָעַרְבָּ֑יִם כְּמִנְחַ֨ת הַבֹּ֤קֶר וּכְנִסְכָּהּ֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֔הּ לְרֵ֣יחַ נִיחֹ֔חַ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃
וְאֵת֙ הַכֶּ֣בֶשׂ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה בֵּ֣ין הָעַרְבָּ֑יִם כְּמִנְחַ֨ת הַבֹּ֤קֶר וּכְנִסְכָּהּ֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֔הּ לְרֵ֣יחַ נִיחֹ֔חַ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Shemot 29:39) describes the daily Korban Tamid (continual offering) brought in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). It specifies the timing and procedure for the afternoon offering, paralleling the morning offering mentioned earlier in the Torah.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם" (towards evening) refers to the time when the sun begins to descend in the west, starting from midday onward. He notes that the afternoon Tamid could be offered anytime after Chatzot (halachic midday) until nightfall, though the ideal time was closer to sunset.

Rambam's Explanation

In Hilchot Temidin uMusafin (1:2-3), the Rambam codifies that both the morning and afternoon Tamid offerings were perpetual obligations, never to be omitted. He emphasizes that the afternoon offering had to include the same components as the morning one: a lamb, a mincha (meal offering), and a nesech (wine libation).

Symbolism of the Tamid

  • The Tamid represents constant devotion to Hashem, as it was offered daily without interruption (Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachot 4:1).
  • The morning and afternoon offerings correspond to the two daily times of judgment (Talmud Bavli, Berachot 26b), demonstrating our continuous need for atonement.
  • The phrase "לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ" (a sweet savour) teaches that the offering was pleasing to Hashem when brought with proper intent (Sifra, Tzav 7).

Halachic Details from the Talmud

The Talmud (Pesachim 58a) discusses the precise timing of the afternoon Tamid, stating it was slaughtered at 8½ hours into the day (about 2:30 PM) and offered at 9½ hours (about 3:30 PM). This demonstrates the meticulous care taken with the Temple service.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash Tanchuma (Tetzaveh 14) connects the two daily offerings to the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing that our service to Hashem must be constant, just as the Torah's teachings apply at all times.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 49b
The verse is discussed in the context of the daily offerings, specifically the timing and procedures for the evening sacrifice.
📖 Yoma 26b
Referenced in a discussion about the sequence and timing of sacrifices, particularly the evening offering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 29:41 mean?
A: Exodus 29:41 describes the daily offering (Korban Tamid) brought in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. It specifies that a second lamb was to be offered in the evening, similar to the morning offering, along with a meal offering and a wine libation. This was a continual offering to maintain a connection between the Jewish people and Hashem (Rashi on Exodus 29:41).
Q: Why is the evening lamb offering important?
A: The evening lamb offering was equally important as the morning offering because it showed that our service to Hashem is constant—day and night. The Rambam (Hilchot Temidim uMusafim 1:1-3) explains that these offerings maintained the sanctity of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Temple, ensuring a continuous bond between the Jewish people and Hashem.
Q: What can we learn from the daily offerings in Exodus 29:41?
A: We learn the importance of consistency in serving Hashem. Just as the daily offerings were brought without interruption, we too should strive for consistency in prayer, Torah study, and mitzvot. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Tetzaveh 14) teaches that these offerings atoned for sins and kept the world spiritually balanced.
Q: How does Exodus 29:41 apply today without the Temple?
A: Since we no longer have the Temple, our daily prayers (Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv) correspond to the offerings. The Mincha prayer, recited in the afternoon, parallels the evening lamb offering mentioned in this verse (Talmud Berachot 26b). Through prayer, we maintain our spiritual connection to Hashem just as the sacrifices did.
Q: What is the significance of the 'sweet savour' in Exodus 29:41?
A: The phrase 'reiach nichoach' (sweet savour) means that the offering was pleasing to Hashem. Rashi (on Exodus 29:41) explains that this indicates Hashem’s acceptance of the Jewish people’s devotion. The Talmud (Menachot 110a) teaches that sincere service, whether through sacrifices or prayer, is always cherished by Hashem.