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Numbers 28:19 - Festival offerings: pure, fire, devotion.

Numbers 28:19 - במדבר 28:19

Hebrew Text

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה עֹלָה לַיהוָה פָּרִים בְּנֵי־בָקָר שְׁנַיִם וְאַיִל אֶחָד וְשִׁבְעָה כְבָשִׂים בְּנֵי שָׁנָה תְּמִימִם יִהְיוּ לָכֶם׃

English Translation

And you shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering to the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be to you without blemish:

Transliteration

Vehikravtem ishe olah lahashem parim bnei-vakar shnayim ve'ayil echad vesheva kevasim bnei shana temimim yihyu lachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה עֹלָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁנַ֖יִם וְאַ֣יִל אֶחָ֑ד וְשִׁבְעָ֤ה כְבָשִׂים֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁנָ֔ה תְּמִימִ֖ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶֽם׃
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה עֹלָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה פָּרִ֧ים בְּנֵי־בָקָ֛ר שְׁנַ֖יִם וְאַ֣יִל אֶחָ֑ד וְשִׁבְעָ֤ה כְבָשִׂים֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁנָ֔ה תְּמִימִ֖ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Bamidbar 28:19) details the korbanot (sacrifices) to be brought on the second day of Pesach (Passover). These offerings consist of two young bulls, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs in their first year, all to be offered as an olah (burnt offering) to Hashem.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה עֹלָה" ("And you shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering") emphasizes that these offerings are entirely consumed by fire on the altar, unlike other sacrifices where parts may be eaten. The two bulls represent the two tablets of the Torah, while the single ram recalls the binding of Yitzchak (Akeidat Yitzchak), demonstrating the Jewish people's devotion to Hashem.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 3:46), Rambam suggests that the multiple offerings—particularly the seven lambs—symbolize completeness (as seven is a number representing wholeness in Jewish tradition). The unblemished requirement ("תְּמִימִם") teaches that offerings to Hashem must be of the highest quality, reflecting the ideal of dedicating one's finest possessions to divine service.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:10) connects these sacrifices to the Exodus: the two bulls correspond to Moshe and Aharon, who led the people out of Egypt; the ram recalls the ram sacrificed in place of Yitzchak; and the seven lambs allude to the seven days of Pesach, reinforcing the holiday's themes of redemption and divine mercy.

Halachic Significance

This verse establishes key halachic requirements for the Pesach offerings:

  • The animals must be temimim (without blemish) - teaching that offerings must be physically perfect (Vayikra 22:21).
  • The lambs must be bnei shana (first year) - indicating spiritual freshness and new beginnings appropriate for the Exodus narrative.
  • The quantities (2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs) create a structured hierarchy of offerings, with the larger numbers representing increasing levels of communal participation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 45a
The verse is discussed in the context of the requirements for sacrificial offerings, specifically the types and numbers of animals to be offered.
📖 Chullin 60b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the characteristics of animals that are fit for sacrifice, emphasizing the requirement for them to be without blemish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 28:19 mean?
A: Numbers 28:19 describes the specific animal sacrifices that were to be offered on the festival of Passover as an 'olah' (burnt offering) to Hashem. It includes two young bulls, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs in their first year. According to Rashi, these offerings were in addition to the Passover sacrifice (Korban Pesach) and were meant to honor the holiday.
Q: Why were the animals required to be 'without blemish'?
A: The Torah emphasizes that sacrificial animals must be 'tamim' (without blemish) to show respect and honor to Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Mizbeach 7:1) explains that just as one would not offer a defective gift to a king, we must offer only the best to G-d. This teaches us the importance of giving our best in serving Hashem.
Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: Although we cannot bring sacrifices today without the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), the Talmud (Berachot 26b) teaches that prayer serves as a substitute for sacrifices. Additionally, the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 7:3) explains that acts of kindness and Torah study can take the place of offerings. This verse reminds us to approach our service of Hashem with the same care and devotion as the sacrifices.
Q: Why were there specifically two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs?
A: The numbers and types of animals have symbolic meaning. Rashi notes that the two bulls may correspond to the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, while the ram recalls the binding of Isaac (Akeidat Yitzchak). The seven lambs may represent the seven days of Passover or the seven Noahide laws (according to some Midrashic interpretations). Each detail in the Torah has deeper significance.
Q: What can we learn from the burnt offering (olah) mentioned in this verse?
A: The olah was completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to Hashem. The Talmud (Menachot 110a) compares it to a person who gives their entire self to serving G-d. Today, we can learn from this the importance of wholehearted commitment in our prayers, mitzvot, and daily lives, striving to elevate all our actions for a higher purpose.