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Leviticus 16:27 - Purification through sacrificial fire.

Leviticus 16:27 - ויקרא 16:27

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת פַּר הַחַטָּאת וְאֵת שְׂעִיר הַחַטָּאת אֲשֶׁר הוּבָא אֶת־דָּמָם לְכַפֵּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ יוֹצִיא אֶל־מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה וְשָׂרְפוּ בָאֵשׁ אֶת־עֹרֹתָם וְאֶת־בְּשָׂרָם וְאֶת־פִּרְשָׁם׃

English Translation

And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall be taken outside the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.

Transliteration

Ve'et par hachatat ve'et se'ir hachatat asher huva et-damam lechaper bakodesh yotzi el-michutz lamachane visar'fu ba'esh et-orotam ve'et-besaram ve'et-pirsham.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵת֩ פַּ֨ר הַֽחַטָּ֜את וְאֵ֣ת <b>׀</b> שְׂעִ֣יר הַֽחַטָּ֗את אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּבָ֤א אֶת־דָּמָם֙ לְכַפֵּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ יוֹצִ֖יא אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ אֶת־עֹרֹתָ֥ם וְאֶת־בְּשָׂרָ֖ם וְאֶת־פִּרְשָֽׁם׃
וְאֵת֩ פַּ֨ר הַֽחַטָּ֜את וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שְׂעִ֣יר הַֽחַטָּ֗את אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּבָ֤א אֶת־דָּמָם֙ לְכַפֵּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ יוֹצִ֖יא אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ אֶת־עֹרֹתָ֥ם וְאֶת־בְּשָׂרָ֖ם וְאֶת־פִּרְשָֽׁם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Source and Context

The verse (Vayikra 16:27) appears in the context of the Yom Kippur service, detailing the disposal of the remains of the sin offerings—the bull (פַּר הַחַטָּאת) and the goat (שְׂעִיר הַחַטָּאת)—whose blood was brought into the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies) for atonement. These remains are to be taken outside the camp and burned entirely.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 16:27) clarifies that this verse refers specifically to the bull and goat of Yom Kippur, whose blood was brought inside the Kodesh HaKodashim. He notes that these offerings are distinct from other sin offerings because their remains are burned outside the camp, emphasizing their unique sanctity and the need for complete destruction to prevent any misuse.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot (7:6), the Rambam explains that burning these remains outside the camp serves as a symbolic act of purification. Since these offerings atoned for the most severe sins (particularly those of the Kohen Gadol and the nation), their complete destruction signifies the removal of impurity from the community.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Torat Kohanim (Sifra, Acharei Mot 8:9) teaches that the burning of these remains outside the camp parallels the idea of "removing sin far away," as all traces of the offering must be eradicated.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Acharei Mot 10) compares this act to a king who orders the complete disposal of a contaminated object to ensure no remnants remain in his palace.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Yoma 67b) derives from this verse that the burning must occur in a designated place outside the camp (later, outside Jerusalem). The Mishnah (Yoma 7:3) further specifies that this was performed in the Beis HaDeshen (the Place of Ashes), ensuring proper respect for the sanctity of the offerings even in their disposal.

Symbolic Meaning

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (Vayikra 16:27) explains that the burning of the entire animal—skin, flesh, and dung—symbolizes the total eradication of sin. Unlike other offerings where parts are eaten or kept, these are wholly consumed by fire, representing the complete rejection of wrongdoing and the need for absolute atonement on Yom Kippur.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 67b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the burning of the sin offerings outside the camp, particularly in relation to the Yom Kippur service.
📖 Zevachim 105a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper disposal of the remains of sin offerings and the requirement to burn them outside the camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 16:27 mean?
A: Leviticus 16:27 describes the procedure for disposing of the remains of the sin offerings (the bull and the goat) brought on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). After their blood was used for atonement in the Holy Place, their bodies were taken outside the camp and completely burned, including their skins, flesh, and dung. This teaches us the seriousness of sin and the need for complete removal of impurity.
Q: Why were the sin offerings burned outside the camp?
A: According to Rashi and other traditional Jewish sources, the sin offerings were burned outside the camp to symbolize the complete removal of sin and impurity from the community. The Mishnah (Yoma 6:6) explains that this act reinforced the idea that atonement requires not just ritual sacrifice but also the distancing of sin from one's life.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 16:27 today?
A: Although we no longer bring sacrifices, the verse teaches us the importance of sincere repentance (teshuvah). Just as the sin offerings were completely removed and burned, we must strive to fully distance ourselves from wrongdoing. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) emphasizes that true repentance involves abandoning sinful behavior and resolving not to repeat it.
Q: Why were the skins, flesh, and dung all burned?
A: The Torah specifies that every part of the sin offering—skin, flesh, and dung—had to be burned to ensure no trace remained. The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) explains that this thorough destruction symbolizes that sin must be eradicated entirely, leaving no remnants that could lead to further transgression.
Q: How does this verse relate to Yom Kippur?
A: Leviticus 16:27 is part of the Yom Kippur service, where the High Priest performed special atonement rituals for the nation. The burning of the sin offerings outside the camp was a key part of purifying the people. Today, on Yom Kippur, we focus on prayer, fasting, and repentance as substitutes for the Temple service, as taught in the Talmud (Yoma 85b).