share torah logo

Leviticus 4:31 - Fat atones, priest forgives.

Leviticus 4:31 - ויקרא 4:31

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־כָּל־חֶלְבָּהּ יָסִיר כַּאֲשֶׁר הוּסַר חֵלֶב מֵעַל זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים וְהִקְטִיר הַכֹּהֵן הַמִּזְבֵּחָה לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו הַכֹּהֵן וְנִסְלַח לוֹ׃

English Translation

And he shall take away all its fat, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour to the Lord; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Transliteration

Ve'et kol khelbah yasir ka'asher husar khelev me'al zevakh hashelamim vehiktir hakohen hamizbe'achah lere'akh nikho'ach la'Adonai vekhiper alav hakohen venislach lo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־כׇּל־חֶלְבָּ֣הּ יָסִ֗יר כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּסַ֣ר חֵ֘לֶב֮ מֵעַ֣ל זֶ֣בַח הַשְּׁלָמִים֒ וְהִקְטִ֤יר הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְכִפֶּ֥ר עָלָ֛יו הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְנִסְלַ֥ח לֽוֹ׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וְאֶת־כׇּל־חֶלְבָּ֣הּ יָסִ֗יר כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּסַ֣ר חֵ֘לֶב֮ מֵעַ֣ל זֶ֣בַח הַשְּׁלָמִים֒ וְהִקְטִ֤יר הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְכִפֶּ֥ר עָלָ֛יו הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְנִסְלַ֥ח לֽוֹ׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse from Vayikra (Leviticus) 4:31

This verse discusses the procedure for the chatat (sin offering) brought by an individual for unintentional sins. The Torah specifies that the fat of the offering must be removed and burned on the altar, similar to the procedure for the zevach shelamim (peace offering). The verse concludes by stating that the kohen (priest) will effect atonement, and the sinner will be forgiven.

Key Elements of the Verse

  • Removal of the Fat: Rashi (Vayikra 4:31) explains that the fat mentioned here refers to the same portions designated for burning in the peace offering (Vayikra 3:9-10). This includes the fat covering the innards, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver.
  • Comparison to the Peace Offering: The Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that the Torah compares this process to the peace offering to emphasize that even in the context of atonement for sin, the offering retains an element of closeness to Hashem, as the peace offering symbolizes harmony between man and the Divine.
  • Burning on the Altar: The Talmud (Zevachim 35b) discusses the significance of burning the fat, explaining that it represents the elevation of the physical to the spiritual, transforming the offering into a rei'ach nichoach (pleasing aroma) before Hashem.

The Role of the Kohen in Atonement

The verse states that the kohen effects atonement (v'chiper alav ha'kohen). The Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Teshuva (1:1-2) explains that while the korban (sacrifice) facilitates atonement, true forgiveness requires sincere repentance (teshuva). The offering alone does not absolve intentional sins without remorse and commitment to change.

The Promise of Forgiveness

The conclusion of the verse (v'nislach lo) assures that the sinner will be forgiven. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 5:5) teaches that this reflects Hashem's boundless mercy—when a person repents and brings an offering with proper intent, forgiveness is guaranteed. The Sforno adds that this process restores the individual's spiritual standing before Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 49b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper procedures for sacrificing peace offerings and the removal of fat.
📖 Menachot 61a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of sacrifices and the role of the priest in making atonement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'removing the fat' symbolize in Leviticus 4:31?
A: In Leviticus 4:31, removing the fat symbolizes separating the best and choicest parts of the offering for Hashem. Rashi explains that the fat represents indulgence and physical desires, and offering it teaches us to elevate our material inclinations for spiritual purposes. The Torah commands this to show that even our physical pleasures should be dedicated to serving G-d.
Q: Why is the fat burned on the altar as a 'sweet savour' to Hashem?
A: The fat is burned as a 'sweet savour' (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ) because it represents complete devotion to Hashem. The Rambam teaches that the pleasing aroma symbolizes our sincere repentance and desire to draw closer to G-d. Just as a pleasant smell uplifts those who sense it, our sincere offerings and atonement bring spiritual elevation.
Q: How does the priest's role in atonement apply today without the Temple?
A: Although we no longer have the Temple or sacrifices, the principle of atonement remains through prayer, repentance (תשובה), and charity (צדקה). The Talmud (Berachot 26b) teaches that our prayers correspond to the sacrifices. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) emphasizes that sincere repentance and good deeds bring forgiveness, just as the priest's service did in the Temple era.
Q: What type of sin does Leviticus 4:31 refer to?
A: Leviticus 4:31 refers to a 'chatat' (sin offering) brought for an unintentional sin (שגגה). Rashi explains that this applies when someone violates a commandment without realizing it. The offering atones for mistakes, teaching us that even unintentional wrongs require correction and spiritual realignment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the forgiveness promised in this verse?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem is compassionate and readily forgives those who sincerely repent. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) compares this to a king who forgives his child’s mistakes. Just as the sin offering brought atonement then, today we can achieve forgiveness through teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity), as taught by our Sages.