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Leviticus 10:12 - Priestly remnant eats sacred offering.

Leviticus 10:12 - ויקרא 10:12

Hebrew Text

וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל אֶלְעָזָר וְאֶל־אִיתָמָר בָּנָיו הַנּוֹתָרִים קְחוּ אֶת־הַמִּנְחָה הַנּוֹתֶרֶת מֵאִשֵּׁי יְהוָה וְאִכְלוּהָ מַצּוֹת אֵצֶל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ כִּי קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים הִוא׃

English Translation

And Moshe spoke to Aharon, and to El῾azar and to Itamar, his sons that were left, Take the meal offering that remains of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:

Transliteration

Vay'daber Moshe el-Aharon ve'el El'azar ve'el-Itamar banav hanotarim k'chu et-hamincha hanoteret me'ishei Adonai ve'ichluha matzot etzel hamizbe'ach ki kodesh kodashim hi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וְאֶ֣ל אֶ֠לְעָזָ֠ר וְאֶל־אִ֨יתָמָ֥ר <small>׀</small> בָּנָיו֮ הַנּֽוֹתָרִים֒ קְח֣וּ אֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֗ה הַנּוֹתֶ֙רֶת֙ מֵאִשֵּׁ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאִכְל֥וּהָ מַצּ֖וֹת אֵ֣צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ כִּ֛י קֹ֥דֶשׁ קׇֽדָשִׁ֖ים הִֽוא׃
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וְאֶ֣ל אֶ֠לְעָזָ֠ר וְאֶל־אִ֨יתָמָ֥ר ׀ בָּנָיו֮ הַנּֽוֹתָרִים֒ קְח֣וּ אֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֗ה הַנּוֹתֶ֙רֶת֙ מֵאִשֵּׁ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאִכְל֥וּהָ מַצּ֖וֹת אֵ֣צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ כִּ֛י קֹ֥דֶשׁ קׇֽדָשִׁ֖ים הִֽוא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 10:12) appears immediately after the tragic death of Aharon's two sons, Nadav and Avihu, who offered an unauthorized fire before Hashem. Moshe instructs Aharon and his remaining sons, Elazar and Itamar, regarding the proper handling of the leftover mincha (meal offering), emphasizing its sacred status.

Meaning of "הנותרים" (Those Who Were Left)

Rashi explains that the term "הנותרים" ("those who were left") refers to Elazar and Itamar, who survived after Nadav and Avihu perished. The Torah uses this language to highlight their new role as the surviving Kohanim responsible for continuing the sacred service in the Mishkan.

The Leftover Mincha Offering

The verse specifies that the remaining portion of the mincha must be eaten "מַצּוֹת" (unleavened) near the altar. Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:6) explains that this is because the mincha is "קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים" (most holy), meaning it may only be consumed by Kohanim within the sacred precincts of the Mishkan.

Why Unleavened?

The Talmud (Menachot 52b) derives from this verse that all mincha offerings must be unleavened, as leaven (chametz) symbolizes corruption and pride, which are incompatible with holiness. The Kohanim must eat it in a state of purity and humility.

Spiritual Message for Aharon and His Sons

After the tragedy, Moshe directs Aharon and his surviving sons to focus on their sacred duties. The Sforno explains that this was meant to strengthen them in their service to Hashem despite their grief. Eating the mincha near the altar symbolizes their continued commitment to holiness even in difficult times.

Halachic Implications

  • The mincha must be eaten by male Kohanim in a state of ritual purity (Rambam, Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:1).
  • It must be consumed within the boundaries of the Mishkan (or later, the Beit HaMikdash) (Zevachim 56a).
  • Leaven is strictly forbidden in all mincha offerings (Vayikra 2:11).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 101a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws pertaining to the consumption of sacrificial offerings by the priests, specifically addressing the requirement to eat the remaining meal offering without leaven near the altar as it is considered most holy.
📖 Menachot 73b
This verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper handling and consumption of the meal offerings, emphasizing the sanctity of the offerings and the specific instructions given to Aaron and his sons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 10:12 mean when it says to eat the offering 'without leaven'?
A: The verse instructs Aharon and his remaining sons to eat the leftover meal offering (mincha) as matzah (unleavened bread) near the altar. Rashi explains that this is because leaven (chametz) represents arrogance and corruption, while matzah symbolizes humility and purity—fitting for holy offerings (Vayikra Rabbah 20:6). Since it was 'most holy,' it required extra sanctity.
Q: Why were only Aharon, Elazar, and Itamar allowed to eat this offering?
A: Earlier in Leviticus 10, Aharon's two older sons, Nadav and Avihu, died for bringing an unauthorized offering. The remaining priests (Aharon, Elazar, and Itamar) were now entrusted with handling holy items carefully. The Talmud (Zevachim 101a) teaches that only designated kohanim (priests) could eat certain offerings, emphasizing the seriousness of their sacred duties.
Q: What is the significance of eating the offering 'beside the altar'?
A: The Mishnah (Zevachim 5:3) states that certain holy offerings had to be eaten within the Temple courtyard, near the altar, to maintain their sanctity. Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:6) explains that this boundary ensured the priests treated the offering with proper reverence, separating holy matters from mundane eating.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: While we no longer have the Temple or sacrifices, the principles remain: we must treat holy things (like Torah study, prayer, or mitzvot) with respect. The Sifra (Shemini 1:9) derives from this verse that holiness requires proper intent—a lesson for how we approach mitzvot today, even without sacrifices.
Q: Why is the leftover offering called 'most holy'?
A: The term 'kodesh kodashim' (most holy) means it was of the highest sanctity, reserved only for kohanim and requiring strict rules (like eating it in the Temple courtyard). Rashi (on Leviticus 2:3) notes that such offerings could not be eaten by non-priests or outside designated areas, teaching us about boundaries in spiritual matters.