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Leviticus 10:14 - Priestly portions, sacred family meal

Leviticus 10:14 - ויקרא 10:14

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה וְאֵת שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה תֹּאכְלוּ בְּמָקוֹם טָהוֹר אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ וּבְנֹתֶיךָ אִתָּךְ כִּי־חָקְךָ וְחָק־בָּנֶיךָ נִתְּנוּ מִזִּבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall you eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they are thy due, and thy sons’ due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Ve'et hazeh hatnufa ve'et shok hateruma tochelu bemakom tahor atah uvanecha uvenotecha itach ki-chakcha vechak-banecha nitenu mizivchei shalmei bnei Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵת֩ חֲזֵ֨ה הַתְּנוּפָ֜ה וְאֵ֣ת <b>׀</b> שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה תֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם טָה֔וֹר אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֥יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֖יךָ אִתָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי־חׇקְךָ֤ וְחׇק־בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙ נִתְּנ֔וּ מִזִּבְחֵ֥י שַׁלְמֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
וְאֵת֩ חֲזֵ֨ה הַתְּנוּפָ֜ה וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֗ה תֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם טָה֔וֹר אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֥יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֖יךָ אִתָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי־חׇקְךָ֤ וְחׇק־בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙ נִתְּנ֔וּ מִזִּבְחֵ֥י שַׁלְמֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Verse Context (Vayikra 10:14)

This verse appears in the context of the consecration of the Kohanim (priests) and the laws pertaining to their portions from the sacrifices. Specifically, it discusses the distribution of the chazeh hatenuphah (wave breast) and shok haterumah (heave shoulder) from the shelamim (peace offerings) brought by Bnei Yisrael.

Explanation of the Portions

Rashi (on Vayikra 10:14) explains that the chazeh (breast) and shok (thigh) are designated as portions for the Kohanim. These parts are separated from the animal during the sacrificial process:

  • Chazeh Hatenuphah: The breast is waved (tenuphah) before Hashem as a symbolic offering, then given to the Kohanim.
  • Shok Haterumah: The thigh is lifted (terumah) and also given to the Kohanim as their due portion.

Eating in a Clean Place

The verse emphasizes that these portions must be eaten b’makom tahor (in a clean place). Rambam (Hilchos Ma’aseh HaKorbanos 10:3) clarifies that this means within the boundaries of the Mishkan or Beis HaMikdash, or in the case of later generations, within the walls of Yerushalayim when the Temple stood. This requirement underscores the sanctity of these portions, which are considered kodashim kalim (lesser sanctified items).

Inclusion of Family

The Torah specifies that the Kohen’s sons and daughters may partake of these portions. The Talmud (Chullin 132a) derives from this that the Kohen’s wife is also permitted to eat from them, as the term banayich u’benosecha (your sons and daughters) implies the entire household. This reflects the Torah’s consideration for the sustenance of the Kohen’s family, as their service in the Mikdash precludes them from earning a livelihood in conventional ways.

Legal Entitlement

The phrase ki chukcha v’chok banayich nitnu (for they are your due and your sons’ due) establishes that these portions are a permanent right of the Kohanim. The Sifra (Torat Kohanim) emphasizes that this is an eternal statute, not subject to revocation. Ramban (on Vayikra 10:14) adds that this entitlement is a form of compensation for the Kohanim’s service and their role in facilitating atonement for the people.

Connection to Shelamim Offerings

The verse specifies that these portions come from the zivchei shelamim (peace offerings). The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 10:4) notes that the shelamim symbolize harmony (shalom) between Hashem, the Kohanim, and the people. By partaking of these portions, the Kohanim share in the joy and gratitude expressed by the bringer of the sacrifice.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 132b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the portions of sacrifices that are given to the priests, specifically the wave breast and heave shoulder.
📖 Zevachim 58b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper place and manner of eating the priestly portions of the sacrifices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'wave breast' and 'heave shoulder' mentioned in Leviticus 10:14?
A: The 'wave breast' (חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה) and 'heave shoulder' (שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה) were portions of the peace offerings (שַׁלְמֵי) that were given to the kohanim (priests) as their share. Rashi explains that these parts were waved or lifted in a specific manner during the Temple service before being given to the priests as their portion.
Q: Why did the priests and their families eat these portions in a 'clean place'?
A: The Torah commands that these portions be eaten in a 'clean place' (בְּמָקוֹם טָהוֹר) because they were holy (קודש). The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:3) explains that this means they had to be eaten within the boundaries of Jerusalem (or the Mishkan/Temple area) and with ritual purity, as they were part of the sacred offerings.
Q: Who was allowed to eat the wave breast and heave shoulder?
A: The verse states that the kohen (priest), his sons, and daughters could eat these portions. The Talmud (Chulin 132b) clarifies that this includes all male and female members of a kohen's household, provided they are ritually pure. However, non-priests (Israelites) were not permitted to eat these portions.
Q: Why were these portions given specifically to the kohanim?
A: The Torah states that these portions were the kohen's 'due' (חָקְךָ) – a permanent right granted to them. The Midrash (Sifra) explains that this was part of their sustenance in exchange for their service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Temple, as they had no land inheritance like the other tribes.
Q: Do these laws apply today without the Temple?
A: Since the Temple is not standing, there are no sacrifices being brought, and thus no wave breast or heave shoulder given to kohanim today. However, the Rambam (Mishneh Torah) writes that these laws will be reinstated when the Temple is rebuilt with the coming of Mashiach.