Numbers 6:19 - Priestly gifts complete Nazir's vow

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Hebrew Text

וְלָקַח הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַזְּרֹעַ בְּשֵׁלָה מִן־הָאַיִל וְחַלַּת מַצָּה אַחַת מִן־הַסַּל וּרְקִיק מַצָּה אֶחָד וְנָתַן עַל־כַּפֵּי הַנָּזִיר אַחַר הִתְגַּלְּחוֹ אֶת־נִזְרוֹ׃

English Translation

And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazir, after the hair of his separation is shaved:

Transliteration

Velakach hakohen et-hazro'a beshela min-ha'ayil vechalat matza achat min-hasal urkik matza echad venatan al-kapei hanazir achar hitgalcho et-nizro.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלָקַ֨ח הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־הַזְּרֹ֣עַ בְּשֵׁלָה֮ מִן־הָאַ֒יִל֒ וְֽחַלַּ֨ת מַצָּ֤ה אַחַת֙ מִן־הַסַּ֔ל וּרְקִ֥יק מַצָּ֖ה אֶחָ֑ד וְנָתַן֙ עַל־כַּפֵּ֣י הַנָּזִ֔יר אַחַ֖ר הִֽתְגַּלְּח֥וֹ אֶת־נִזְרֽוֹ׃

Parasha Commentary

The Nazir's Offerings After Completion of Vow

The verse (Bamidbar 6:19) describes the final stage of the Nazir's purification process, where the Kohen places specific portions of the ram sacrifice and matzah offerings upon the Nazir's hands. This ritual marks the completion of the Nazirite period and his return to ordinary status.

Components of the Offering

The Boiled Shoulder (Zeroa B'sheilah): Rashi explains this refers to the right foreleg of the ram (based on Menachot 62a). The boiling (sheilah) prepares it for eating, symbolizing the Nazir's return to normal consumption after abstinence.
Unleavened Cake and Wafer: The matzah offerings represent purity and humility. Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 8:13) notes these correspond to the thanksgiving offerings brought in the Temple.

Symbolism of Placing on the Hands

The Talmud (Nazir 47b) discusses how this act of placing the offerings on the Nazir's hands serves multiple purposes:

It demonstrates the offerings are being formally given to the Kohen
It symbolizes the transfer of the Nazir's sanctified state back to mundane existence
The Sforno adds that this physical act helps the Nazir internalize the transition from his holy status

Timing - After Shaving the Hair

As emphasized in the verse, this ritual occurs after shaving the Nazir's hair. The Kli Yakar explains this sequence teaches that:

The hair (which grew during the vow period) represented the Nazir's sanctity
Its removal marks the end of that special status
The offerings then complete the transition process

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nazir 47a

The verse is discussed in the context of the rituals performed for a Nazirite after the completion of their vow, particularly the offerings and the shaving of the hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the priest giving the Nazir these items after shaving?
A: According to Rashi, the priest places the boiled ram's shoulder and the matzah items on the Nazir's hands as part of the final ceremony completing the Nazirite vow. This symbolizes the transition back to ordinary life after the period of holiness and separation. The items represent parts of the offerings brought at the conclusion of the vow (Numbers 6:14-17).

Q: Why does the Nazir bring these specific offerings?
A: The Torah requires these offerings (shoulder of the ram, matzah cake and wafer) as part of the Nazir's concluding service. The Rambam explains (Hilchot Nezirut 8:13) that these correspond to different aspects of the atonement process - the ram's shoulder represents strength (as the Nazir returns to normal life), while the matzah symbolizes humility before Hashem.

Q: What is the meaning of 'after the hair of his separation is shaved'?
A: The Talmud (Nazir 45b) explains that the shaving of the hair marks the official end of the Nazirite period. The hair had grown as a visible sign of the vow, and its removal (done near the Holy Temple) signifies the completion of the Nazir's special status. Rashi notes this must be done specifically 'after' shaving to show the vow is fully concluded.

Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we currently lack the Temple service, the Nazir's process teaches important spiritual lessons. The Sforno explains that just as the Nazir brought offerings when completing a holy commitment, we too should mark meaningful spiritual accomplishments with gratitude to Hashem. The transition from holiness back to regular life also reminds us to carry spiritual growth into our daily routines.

Q: Why are unleavened cakes (matzah) part of this ceremony?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 10:12) connects the matzah to the Nazir's avoidance of wine and grape products during the vow - just as matzah is simple and unpretentious, so too was the Nazir's lifestyle. The Vilna Gaon adds that matzah represents humility, appropriate for one concluding a period of elevated holiness.