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Leviticus 10:15 - Priestly portions: eternal inheritance?

Leviticus 10:15 - ויקרא 10:15

Hebrew Text

שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה וַחֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה עַל אִשֵּׁי הַחֲלָבִים יָבִיאוּ לְהָנִיף תְּנוּפָה לִפְנֵי יְהוָה וְהָיָה לְךָ וּלְבָנֶיךָ אִתְּךָ לְחָק־עוֹלָם כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה׃

English Translation

The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the Lord; and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, as a portion for ever; as the Lord commanded.

Transliteration

Shok hatruma vacheze hatnufa al ishei hachalavim yavi'u lehanif tnufa lifnei Adonai vehaya lecha ulvanecha itcha lechok-olam ka'asher tzivah Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֞ה וַחֲזֵ֣ה הַתְּנוּפָ֗ה עַ֣ל אִשֵּׁ֤י הַחֲלָבִים֙ יָבִ֔יאוּ לְהָנִ֥יף תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֨ה לְךָ֜ וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ אִתְּךָ֙ לְחׇק־עוֹלָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָֽה׃
שׁ֣וֹק הַתְּרוּמָ֞ה וַחֲזֵ֣ה הַתְּנוּפָ֗ה עַ֣ל אִשֵּׁ֤י הַחֲלָבִים֙ יָבִ֔יאוּ לְהָנִ֥יף תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֨ה לְךָ֜ וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ אִתְּךָ֙ לְחׇק־עוֹלָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Portions of the Kohanim

The verse (Vayikra 10:15) discusses the portions of the korban shelamim (peace offering) designated for the kohanim (priests): the shok haterumah (heave shoulder) and chazei hatenuphah (wave breast). Rashi explains that these portions were given to the kohanim as a perpetual right, as commanded by Hashem. The shok refers to the right hind leg of the animal, while the chazeh is the breast portion.

The Significance of the Wave Offering

The tenuphah (wave offering) was a symbolic act performed by the kohen, moving the portions forward and backward, upward and downward, as an acknowledgment that everything belongs to Hashem (Menachot 61a). Rambam (Hilchos Maaseh Hakorbanos 9:6) elaborates that this motion demonstrated that the offerings were being presented before the Almighty.

An Eternal Portion for the Kohanim

The verse emphasizes that these portions were granted to Aharon and his descendants forever (lecha ulevanecha itecha lechok olam). The Sforno notes that this was a divine reward for the kohanim's service in the Mishkan and later the Beis Hamikdash. The Talmud (Chullin 132b) derives from this verse that even in times when the Beis Hamikdash is not standing, the kohanim retain their rights to these portions from slaughtered animals.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • The shok and chazeh must be given to a kohen today when slaughtering an animal that would have been eligible as a korban (Rambam, Hilchos Bikkurim 9:1).
  • These portions are considered terumah (holy gifts) and must be treated with sanctity (Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 506).
  • The kohen must be in a state of ritual purity to receive these portions, though today we assume all kohanim are ritually impure (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 61:21).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 132b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the portions of sacrifices given to the priests, specifically the heave shoulder and wave breast.
📖 Menachot 62a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the wave offering and its significance in the sacrificial service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 'heave shoulder' and 'wave breast' mentioned in Leviticus 10:15?
A: The 'heave shoulder' (שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה) and 'wave breast' (חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה) refer to specific portions of certain sacrifices that were given to the Kohanim (priests) as their portion. According to Rashi, the 'heave shoulder' comes from the right hind leg, and the 'wave breast' is the chest portion of the animal. These were waved before Hashem as part of the service and then given to the Kohanim as their eternal portion (חָק־עוֹלָם).
Q: Why were these portions given to the Kohanim?
A: The Torah designates these portions to the Kohanim as their eternal share (חָק־עוֹלָם) because they serve in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) and do not receive a portion of land like the other tribes. Rambam explains in Hilchot Bikkurim that this sustains the Kohanim so they can focus on their sacred duties without worldly distractions.
Q: What does it mean to 'wave' the offering before Hashem?
A: The act of waving (תְּנוּפָה) was a physical motion performed by the Kohen, moving the portion forward and backward or up and down before the altar. The Talmud (Menachot 61b) explains that this symbolizes acknowledging Hashem as Master of all directions—above, below, and the four winds. It was a way of dedicating the offering entirely to Hashem before the Kohanim received their share.
Q: Does this law apply today without the Beit HaMikdash?
A: Since these portions were connected to sacrifices brought in the Beit HaMikdash, they are not applicable today while the Temple is not standing. However, the Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:1) writes that these laws will be reinstated when the Beit HaMikdash is rebuilt, may it be speedily in our days.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service, such as Torah scholars and teachers. Just as the Kohanim were sustained through these portions, we are encouraged to contribute to the upkeep of those who serve the community in Torah study and mitzvot. The Midrash (Sifra) also highlights that this mitzvah fosters gratitude and connection between the people and their spiritual leaders.