share torah logo

Leviticus 23:18 - Shavuot's perfect sacrificial offerings

Leviticus 23:18 - ויקרא 23:18

Hebrew Text

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם עַל־הַלֶּחֶם שִׁבְעַת כְּבָשִׂים תְּמִימִם בְּנֵי שָׁנָה וּפַר בֶּן־בָּקָר אֶחָד וְאֵילִם שְׁנָיִם יִהְיוּ עֹלָה לַיהוָה וּמִנְחָתָם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ־נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

And you shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering to the Lord, with their meal offering, and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire, of sweet savour to the Lord.

Transliteration

Vehikravtem al-halechem shivat kvasim temimim bnei shana ufar ben-bakar echad ve'eilim shnayim yihyu olah lahashem uminchatam veniskeihem ishe rei'ach-nicho'ach lahashem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֣ם עַל־הַלֶּ֗חֶם שִׁבְעַ֨ת כְּבָשִׂ֤ים תְּמִימִם֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁנָ֔ה וּפַ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר אֶחָ֖ד וְאֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם יִהְי֤וּ עֹלָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וּמִנְחָתָם֙ וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ־נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָֽה׃
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֣ם עַל־הַלֶּ֗חֶם שִׁבְעַ֨ת כְּבָשִׂ֤ים תְּמִימִם֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁנָ֔ה וּפַ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר אֶחָ֖ד וְאֵילִ֣ם שְׁנָ֑יִם יִהְי֤וּ עֹלָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וּמִנְחָתָם֙ וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ־נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 23:18) appears in the context of the mitzvah of the Korban Ha'Omer (the Omer offering) and the subsequent festival of Shavuot. The Torah details the additional offerings brought alongside the two loaves of bread (Shtei HaLechem) on Shavuot. These offerings include seven lambs, one bull, and two rams, accompanied by meal and drink offerings, all as a burnt offering (Olah) to Hashem.

Explanation of the Offerings

Rashi (Vayikra 23:18) explains that the seven lambs correspond to the seven nations of Canaan, symbolizing the Jewish people's conquest and inheritance of the Land of Israel. The single bull represents Avraham Avinu, as the bull is associated with his hospitality (see Bereishit 18:7). The two rams correspond to Yitzchak and Yaakov, who were central figures in the establishment of the Jewish nation.

  • Seven Lambs: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:24) teaches that the number seven signifies completeness, reflecting the seven days of creation and the seven Noahide laws, underscoring the universal aspect of Shavuot as the time of Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah).
  • One Bull: The Ramban (Vayikra 23:18) suggests that the bull atones for the sin of the Golden Calf, as Shavuot is a time of renewed commitment to Torah.
  • Two Rams: The Kli Yakar (Vayikra 23:18) connects them to Moshe and Aharon, the leaders who brought the Jewish people to receive the Torah.

The Significance of the Meal and Drink Offerings

The meal offering (Mincha) and drink offering (Nesachim) accompanying the animals symbolize gratitude to Hashem for sustenance. The Talmud (Menachot 104b) explains that these offerings demonstrate that physical nourishment should be elevated for spiritual purposes, aligning with the theme of Shavuot as a time of dedicating one's material blessings to divine service.

"A Sweet Savor to the Lord"

The phrase rei'ach nicho'ach la'Hashem ("a sweet savor to the Lord") is interpreted by the Sforno (Vayikra 23:18) as an expression of divine pleasure when the Jewish people fulfill mitzvot with pure intent. On Shavuot, this reflects the joy of receiving the Torah and recommitting to its observance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 45b
The verse is discussed in the context of the meal offerings and the requirements for the sacrifices that accompany the bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 23:18 mean?
A: Leviticus 23:18 describes the additional sacrifices (korbanot) brought on Shavuot along with the Two Loaves (Shtei HaLechem). These include seven unblemished lambs, one bull, two rams, along with meal and wine offerings. Rashi explains that these offerings accompany the special bread (Shtei HaLechem) unique to Shavuot, creating a 'sweet savor' to Hashem.
Q: Why are these sacrifices important in Leviticus 23:18?
A: These sacrifices are important because they express gratitude to Hashem for the wheat harvest (as Shavuot is also called Chag HaKatzir) and reaffirm our commitment to serving Him. The Rambam teaches that korbanot help refine a person's character by inspiring devotion. The multiple offerings symbolize completeness in our service to Hashem.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 23:18 today?
A: Although we currently lack the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) to bring sacrifices, the Talmud (Menachot) teaches that Torah study and prayer take their place. This verse reminds us to approach Hashem with the same wholeheartedness ('tamim'—unblemished) as the offerings. The 'sweet savor' teaches that our mitzvot should be pleasing to Hashem like a fragrant offering.
Q: Why are there so many animals listed in this verse?
A: The seven lambs, one bull, and two rams each serve a purpose. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) notes that numbers in sacrifices often correspond to spiritual concepts—for example, seven represents completion in nature (like the seven days of creation). The variety also reflects different levels of atonement and dedication, as explained in the Talmud (Zevachim).
Q: What is the 'bread' mentioned in Leviticus 23:18?
A: The 'bread' refers to the Shtei HaLechem (Two Loaves), a unique offering brought only on Shavuot from the new wheat harvest. Unlike most meal offerings, these loaves were leavened (chametz). The Talmud (Menachot 45b) derives from this verse that the loaves must be waved together with the animal sacrifices as part of the Shavuot service.