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Leviticus 27:27 - Unclean beast's redemption value?

Leviticus 27:27 - ויקרא 27:27

Hebrew Text

וְאִם בַּבְּהֵמָה הַטְּמֵאָה וּפָדָה בְעֶרְכֶּךָ וְיָסַף חֲמִשִׁתוֹ עָלָיו וְאִם־לֹא יִגָּאֵל וְנִמְכַּר בְּעֶרְכֶּךָ׃

English Translation

And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem it according to the estimation, and shall add to it a fifth part of it: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to the estimation.

Transliteration

Ve'im bab'heima ha'tme'ah ufada ve'erkha veyasaf chamishito alav ve'im-lo yiga'el venimkar be'erkha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִ֨ם בַּבְּהֵמָ֤ה הַטְּמֵאָה֙ וּפָדָ֣ה בְעֶרְכֶּ֔ךָ וְיָסַ֥ף חֲמִשִׁת֖וֹ עָלָ֑יו וְאִם־לֹ֥א יִגָּאֵ֖ל וְנִמְכַּ֥ר בְּעֶרְכֶּֽךָ׃
וְאִ֨ם בַּבְּהֵמָ֤ה הַטְּמֵאָה֙ וּפָדָ֣ה בְעֶרְכֶּ֔ךָ וְיָסַ֥ף חֲמִשִׁת֖וֹ עָלָ֑יו וְאִם־לֹ֥א יִגָּאֵ֖ל וְנִמְכַּ֥ר בְּעֶרְכֶּֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Vayikra (Leviticus)

The verse (Vayikra 27:27) appears in the context of the laws of erechin (vows of valuation), where a person pledges the value of an animal or property to the Beit HaMikdash. Here, the Torah specifies the procedure for redeeming an unclean animal (e.g., a donkey or camel) that has been consecrated.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 27:27) clarifies that this verse deals with an animal that is tamei (ritually unclean) and thus unfit for sacrifice. If the owner wishes to redeem it, they must pay its assessed value (erech) plus an additional fifth (20%). Rashi emphasizes that this added fifth serves as a penalty or deterrent against casually vowing and then retracting consecrated items.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Hilchot Arachin V'Charamin (6:1-2), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that the redemption of an unclean animal follows the same principles as other consecrated property. The additional fifth ensures the sanctity of vows is upheld, as negligence in fulfilling them diminishes the reverence due to mitzvot.

Talmudic Discussion (Arachin 6b-7a)

  • The Gemara analyzes why an unclean animal requires redemption while a clean animal (fit for sacrifice) does not. It explains that a tamei animal cannot be offered on the altar, so its sanctity is transferred to its monetary value.
  • The Sages derive the "fifth" from a gezeirah shavah (verbal analogy) linking this verse to Vayikra 5:16, where a similar penalty applies to misused sanctified property.

Midrashic Insight (Torat Kohanim)

The Torat Kohanim (Sifra) teaches that this law underscores the gravity of vows. Even though the animal is unclean, its consecration creates a binding obligation. The added fifth reflects the principle that one must go beyond the minimum when rectifying a sacred matter.

Practical Implications

If the owner does not redeem the animal, the Beit HaMikdash authorities sell it to others at its assessed value. The proceeds are then used for sacred purposes, ensuring the original vow’s intent is honored. This highlights the Torah’s balance between individual commitment and communal sanctity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 6b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of redemption and valuation of unclean animals, particularly focusing on the additional fifth part required for redemption.
📖 Bekhorot 13b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the differences between clean and unclean animals in matters of valuation and redemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 27:27 mean?
A: Leviticus 27:27 discusses the laws of redeeming an unclean animal that was consecrated to the Temple (Hekdesh). If someone vows such an animal, they must pay its value plus an additional fifth (20%) to redeem it. If not redeemed, the animal is sold at its estimated value, and the money goes to the Temple treasury. This teaches the importance of fulfilling vows responsibly (Rashi, Chullin 117b).
Q: Why does the Torah require adding a fifth when redeeming an unclean animal?
A: The additional fifth (chomesh) serves as a penalty or reminder to be careful with vows. Since the person initially misused their vow by dedicating an unclean animal (which cannot be offered as a sacrifice), the extra payment encourages sincerity and caution when making pledges to Hashem (Rambam, Hilchos Arachin 6:4; Toras Kohanim).
Q: What types of animals are considered 'unclean' in this verse?
A: The 'unclean beasts' (beheima teme'ah) refer to animals like donkeys, camels, and horses, which are not kosher for sacrifices. Only kosher animals (e.g., cows, sheep) could be offered on the altar, so this law addresses cases where someone mistakenly or improperly vowed a non-kosher animal (Rashi on Leviticus 27:27; Talmud, Temurah 29a).
Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: While we cannot redeem vows for the Temple today, the principle teaches us about the seriousness of keeping our word, especially in spiritual matters. The Talmud (Chullin 2a) also derives general laws about monetary valuations from such verses, which influence Jewish civil law (Choshen Mishpat) in cases involving vows or consecrated property.
Q: What happens if the unclean animal is not redeemed?
A: If the owner does not redeem it by paying its value plus the fifth, the animal is sold by the Temple authorities, and the proceeds go to the Temple treasury (Beis Hamikdash). The original owner no longer has rights to it (Rashi on Leviticus 27:27; Rambam, Hilchos Arachin 6:5).