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Leviticus 7:34 - Priests' eternal share from offerings

Leviticus 7:34 - ויקרא 7:34

Hebrew Text

כִּי אֶת־חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה וְאֵת שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה לָקַחְתִּי מֵאֵת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִזִּבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵיהֶם וָאֶתֵּן אֹתָם לְאַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן וּלְבָנָיו לְחָק־עוֹלָם מֵאֵת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Yisra᾽el from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aharon the priest and to his sons their fixed portion for ever from among the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Ki et-chazeh hatnufa ve'et shok hateruma lakachti me'et bnei-Yisrael mizivchei shalmeihem va'eten otam le'Aharon hakohen ulevanav lechok-olam me'et bnei Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּי֩ אֶת־חֲזֵ֨ה הַתְּנוּפָ֜ה וְאֵ֣ת <b>׀</b> שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה לָקַ֙חְתִּי֙ מֵאֵ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִזִּבְחֵ֖י שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֑ם וָאֶתֵּ֣ן אֹ֠תָ֠ם לְאַהֲרֹ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֤ן וּלְבָנָיו֙ לְחׇק־עוֹלָ֔ם מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
כִּי֩ אֶת־חֲזֵ֨ה הַתְּנוּפָ֜ה וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה לָקַ֙חְתִּי֙ מֵאֵ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִזִּבְחֵ֖י שַׁלְמֵיהֶ֑ם וָאֶתֵּ֣ן אֹ֠תָ֠ם לְאַהֲרֹ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֤ן וּלְבָנָיו֙ לְחׇק־עוֹלָ֔ם מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Portions Given to the Kohanim

The verse (Vayikra 7:34) describes the portions of the shelamim (peace offerings) designated for Aharon and his descendants, the Kohanim. These portions are the chazeh ha-tenufah (the breast of waving) and the shok ha-terumah (the thigh of heaving). Rashi explains that these portions were given to the Kohanim as a chok olam (eternal statute) from Bnei Yisrael, emphasizing their perpetual nature as a divine commandment.

The Significance of the Wave and Heave Offerings

According to the Talmud (Chullin 134b), the tenufah (waving) and terumah (heaving) symbolize the elevation of these portions to Hashem before being given to the Kohanim. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 9:6) elaborates that the waving was performed by moving the breast forward and backward, while the heaving involved lifting the thigh upward—both gestures acknowledging Hashem’s sovereignty over all directions.

The Eternal Covenant with the Kohanim

The Midrash (Sifra, Tzav 10:12) teaches that these portions were a sign of the everlasting covenant between Hashem and the Kohanim, ensuring their sustenance as they devoted themselves to divine service. The chok olam underscores that this obligation applies in all generations, even after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, as discussed in the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 61).

Practical Implications

  • The chazeh and shok were only given from korbanot shelamim brought by individuals, not communal offerings (Rambam, Hilchot Bikkurim 9:1).
  • These portions were considered terumah (holy gifts), requiring the Kohanim to eat them in a state of ritual purity (Talmud, Zevachim 97a).
  • Even today, while we cannot bring sacrifices, the concept of supporting Torah scholars and those who serve in spiritual roles is derived from this mitzvah (Rambam, Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 8:10).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 132b
The verse is discussed in the context of the priestly portions from sacrifices, specifically regarding the wave breast and heave shoulder given to Aaron and his descendants.
📖 Menachot 62a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of sacrifices and the portions allocated to the priests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'wave breast' and 'heave shoulder' mentioned in Leviticus 7:34?
A: The 'wave breast' (חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה) and 'heave shoulder' (שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה) were special portions of the peace offering (שְׁלָמִים) that were given to the kohanim (priests). The breast was waved before Hashem in a horizontal motion, and the shoulder was lifted (heaved) in a vertical motion as part of the service. Rashi explains that these portions were designated as a permanent gift to Aharon and his descendants (Vayikra 7:34).
Q: Why were these parts of the sacrifice given to the kohanim?
A: These portions were given to the kohanim as their share for performing the sacrificial service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:4) teaches that this was their compensation for their holy work, ensuring they could focus on serving Hashem without worrying about sustenance.
Q: Does this law still apply today without the Beit HaMikdash?
A: Since we currently do not have the Beit HaMikdash and cannot bring sacrifices, these laws are not practiced today. However, the Talmud (Chulin 132a) discusses that when the Beit HaMikdash is rebuilt, these laws will be reinstated. Until then, we learn from this the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to Torah and divine service.
Q: What is the significance of these portions being called a 'fixed portion forever'?
A: The phrase 'חָק־עוֹלָם' (fixed portion forever) emphasizes that this is an eternal commandment, binding for all generations. The Sforno explains that this shows the enduring relationship between the Jewish people and the kohanim—the people support the kohanim, and the kohanim serve on their behalf in the Beit HaMikdash.
Q: Can we derive any lessons from this verse for today?
A: Yes! Although we cannot bring sacrifices today, the principle of supporting Torah scholars and those who serve the community (like rabbis and teachers) remains important. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 3:3) teaches that just as the kohanim were sustained through the gifts of the people, we too should ensure that those who teach and uphold Torah can do so without financial hardship.