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Leviticus 1:17 - Whole sacrifice, divine fragrance

Leviticus 1:17 - ויקרא 1:17

Hebrew Text

וְשִׁסַּע אֹתוֹ בִכְנָפָיו לֹא יַבְדִּיל וְהִקְטִיר אֹתוֹ הַכֹּהֵן הַמִּזְבֵּחָה עַל־הָעֵצִים אֲשֶׁר עַל־הָאֵשׁ עֹלָה הוּא אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

and he shall rend it by its wings, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour to the Lord.

Transliteration

V'shisa oto vichnafav lo yavdil v'hiktir oto hakohan hamizbe'cha al ha'etzim asher al ha'eish olah hu ishe re'ach nicho'ach la'Hashem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשִׁסַּ֨ע אֹת֣וֹ בִכְנָפָיו֮ לֹ֣א יַבְדִּיל֒ וְהִקְטִ֨יר אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה עַל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָאֵ֑שׁ עֹלָ֣ה ה֗וּא אִשֵּׁ֛ה רֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְשִׁסַּ֨ע אֹת֣וֹ בִכְנָפָיו֮ לֹ֣א יַבְדִּיל֒ וְהִקְטִ֨יר אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה עַל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָאֵ֑שׁ עֹלָ֣ה ה֗וּא אִשֵּׁ֛ה רֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse (Vayikra 1:17)

The verse describes the procedure for offering a bird as an olah (burnt offering) on the altar. The Torah specifies that the kohen must rend the bird by its wings but not completely divide it, and then burn it entirely on the altar as a pleasing aroma to Hashem.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Vayikra 1:17) explains that the phrase "וְשִׁסַּע אֹתוֹ בִכְנָפָיו" ("and he shall rend it by its wings") means the kohen tears the bird along the length of its body, starting from the wings, but does not separate it into two parts. This is derived from the words "לֹא יַבְדִּיל" ("he shall not divide it asunder"), meaning the bird remains intact despite the tearing.

Rambam's Explanation

In Hilchos Maaseh HaKorbanos (6:19), the Rambam codifies this halacha, stating that the kohen must tear the bird's body open along its back but not sever it completely. This ensures the bird remains a single unit when placed on the altar, fulfilling the requirement of a complete offering.

Symbolism and Midrashic Insights

  • Unity in Sacrifice: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 3:4) teaches that the bird is not fully separated to symbolize the unity of Klal Yisrael. Just as the bird remains whole despite being torn, the Jewish people remain united even in times of hardship.
  • Humility: Birds were often brought as offerings by those of lesser means. The partial tearing signifies humility—acknowledging one’s flaws while striving for closeness to Hashem.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Zevachim 65a) discusses the precise method of tearing, emphasizing that the bird must not be fully split. This ensures the offering retains its status as an olah, which must be entirely consumed by the fire on the altar.

Spiritual Message

The phrase "אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה" ("a sweet savour to the Lord") teaches that the essence of the korban is not the physical act but the devotion behind it. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 119) explains that the aroma symbolizes the elevation of one’s intentions, turning a physical act into a spiritual offering.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 65a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the proper way to sacrifice a bird as an offering, specifically focusing on the requirement to rend the bird by its wings without dividing it completely.
📖 Menachot 27a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the different types of offerings and their requirements, emphasizing the procedure for burning the offering on the altar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 1:17 mean when it says 'he shall rend it by its wings, but shall not divide it asunder'?
A: According to Rashi, this verse refers to the proper way a kohen (priest) should prepare a bird for the olah (burnt offering). The bird is torn open at its wings but not completely split into two separate pieces, maintaining its unity as a single offering to Hashem.
Q: Why is the burnt offering described as 'a sweet savour to the Lord' in Leviticus 1:17?
A: The Talmud (Menachot 110a) explains that the phrase 'sweet savour' symbolizes the pleasure Hashem takes when Jews fulfill His commandments with proper intention. Even though G-d doesn't need sacrifices, He appreciates the devotion behind them. Rambam adds that sacrifices were meant to wean people away from idolatrous practices common in ancient times.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn today from Leviticus 1:17 about sacrifices?
A: The Midrash teaches that since the Temple's destruction, our prayers have replaced sacrifices (Hosea 14:3). Just as the olah was completely devoted to Hashem, we should approach prayer with total focus and devotion. The detail about not dividing the bird teaches us that our service should be wholehearted and unified in purpose.
Q: Why does Leviticus 1:17 specify burning the offering on wood on the altar?
A: The wood represents the fuel that enables the sacrifice to reach upward, just as our mitzvot elevate us spiritually. The Mishnah (Tamid 2:3) describes how priests carefully arranged wood on the altar to create proper airflow for complete combustion, showing that even physical preparations for divine service require wisdom and care.
Q: How does the bird offering in Leviticus 1:17 differ from other sacrifices?
A: Rashi notes that bird offerings (typically doves or pigeons) were the poor person's sacrifice (Leviticus 5:7), showing that Hashem values sincere offerings regardless of cost. Unlike larger animals that were skinned and quartered, birds were prepared more simply - torn at the wings but kept whole - making them accessible even to those of modest means.