Numbers 28:5 - Daily flour and oil offering

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

וַעֲשִׂירִית הָאֵיפָה סֹלֶת לְמִנְחָה בְּלוּלָה בְּשֶׁמֶן כָּתִית רְבִיעִת הַהִין׃

English Translation

and a tenth part of an efa of flour for a meal offering, mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil.

Transliteration

Va'asirit ha'eifa solet lemincha belula beshemen katit revi'at hahin.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַעֲשִׂירִ֧ית הָאֵיפָ֛ה סֹ֖לֶת לְמִנְחָ֑ה בְּלוּלָ֛ה בְּשֶׁ֥מֶן כָּתִ֖ית רְבִיעִ֥ת הַהִֽין׃

Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse

The verse describes the components of a mincha (meal offering) brought in the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple). Specifically, it details the required measurements of fine flour (solet) and olive oil (shemen katit) for the offering.

Measurements and Their Significance

A tenth of an efa of flour: Rashi (Vayikra 2:1) explains that an efa is a biblical measure equivalent to approximately 43.2 eggs' volume in modern terms. A tenth of an efa (about 4.3 eggs' volume) was the standard amount for a mincha offering, symbolizing humility and devotion, as ten is a number representing completeness (e.g., the Ten Commandments).
Beaten oil (shemen katit): Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 13:4) notes that shemen katit refers to oil extracted from olives through gentle pressing (not grinding), ensuring the highest quality for sacred use. The oil represents enlightenment and divine favor (Midrash Tanchuma, Tetzaveh 5).
A fourth of a hin: A hin is approximately 6 eggs' volume, making a quarter hin about 1.5 eggs' volume. The precise measurement reflects the Torah's emphasis on exactness in divine service (Talmud, Menachot 89a).

Symbolism of the Mincha Offering

The mincha, unlike animal sacrifices, consists of simple flour and oil, making it accessible even to the poor (Talmud, Menachot 104b). This underscores the principle that sincerity, not material value, is paramount in serving Hashem. The mingling of oil with flour (belula bashemen) symbolizes the unity of physical and spiritual sustenance (Kli Yakar, Vayikra 2:1).

Halachic Details

According to the Mishnah (Menachot 6:4), the flour had to be of the finest quality (solet), sifted multiple times to remove impurities. The oil was mixed thoroughly with the flour before being offered on the altar, demonstrating the meticulous care required in divine worship (Rambam, Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 12:6).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the meal offering (mincha) in Numbers 28:5?
A: The meal offering (mincha) described in Numbers 28:5 refers to a flour-based offering brought daily in the Temple along with the Tamid (daily) sacrifice. According to Rashi, this offering consisted of fine wheat flour mixed with olive oil, symbolizing our devotion to Hashem through simple, everyday sustenance. The mincha teaches that even basic acts can be elevated for holiness.

Q: Why does the Torah specify exact measurements for the flour and oil in this verse?
A: The Torah specifies precise measurements (a tenth of an efa of flour and a quarter hin of oil) to teach the importance of consistency and exactness in divine service (Rambam, Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin 1:4). The Talmud (Menachot 89a) explains that these measurements reflect the careful balance required in our relationship with Hashem—neither excessive nor lacking.

Q: What is the significance of 'beaten oil' (shemen katit) mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'beaten oil' (shemen katit) refers to the highest quality olive oil, produced by gently crushing olives rather than pressing them (Rashi on Exodus 27:20). This was used for the Menorah and special offerings. The Midrash (Sifrei Bamidbar) teaches that just as the purest oil rises to the top, we should strive to bring our finest efforts in serving Hashem.