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Numbers 6:14 - Pure offerings for divine connection

Numbers 6:14 - במדבר 6:14

Hebrew Text

וְהִקְרִיב אֶת־קָרְבָּנוֹ לַיהוָה כֶּבֶשׂ בֶּן־שְׁנָתוֹ תָמִים אֶחָד לְעֹלָה וְכַבְשָׂה אַחַת בַּת־שְׁנָתָהּ תְּמִימָה לְחַטָּאת וְאַיִל־אֶחָד תָּמִים לִשְׁלָמִים׃

English Translation

And he shall offer his offering to the Lord, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for a peace offering,

Transliteration

Vehikriv et-korbano la'Adonai keves ben-shanato tamim echad le'ola ve'khavsa achat bat-shnata temima lechatat ve'ayil echad tamim leshlamim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִקְרִ֣יב אֶת־קׇרְבָּנ֣וֹ לַיהֹוָ֡ה כֶּ֩בֶשׂ֩ בֶּן־שְׁנָת֨וֹ תָמִ֤ים אֶחָד֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה וְכַבְשָׂ֨ה אַחַ֧ת בַּת־שְׁנָתָ֛הּ תְּמִימָ֖ה לְחַטָּ֑את וְאַֽיִל־אֶחָ֥ד תָּמִ֖ים לִשְׁלָמִֽים׃
וְהִקְרִ֣יב אֶת־קׇרְבָּנ֣וֹ לַיהֹוָ֡ה כֶּ֩בֶשׂ֩ בֶּן־שְׁנָת֨וֹ תָמִ֤ים אֶחָד֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה וְכַבְשָׂ֨ה אַחַ֧ת בַּת־שְׁנָתָ֛הּ תְּמִימָ֖ה לְחַטָּ֑את וְאַֽיִל־אֶחָ֥ד תָּמִ֖ים לִשְׁלָמִֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

This verse (Vayikra 14:10) details the sacrificial offerings brought by a metzora (a person afflicted with tzara'at, often translated as leprosy) upon completing their purification process. The offerings consist of three distinct animals: a male lamb for an olah (burnt offering), a female lamb for a chatat (sin offering), and a ram for a shelamim (peace offering). Each must be tamim (unblemished) to be acceptable.

Significance of the Offerings

Rashi explains that these sacrifices serve different purposes in the atonement process:

  • Olah (Burnt Offering): This offering is entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication to Hashem and atonement for improper thoughts (Vayikra Rabbah 7:3).
  • Chatat (Sin Offering): Atones for unintentional sins, particularly those related to lashon hara (evil speech), which Chazal associate with tzara'at (Arachin 15b).
  • Shelamim (Peace Offering): Expresses gratitude for restoration to purity and communal reintegration (Rambam, Hilchot Mechusrei Kaparah 3:1).

Requirements of the Animals

The Torah specifies that the lambs must be bnei shana (one year old) and temimim (unblemished). The Ramban explains that youth symbolizes renewal, aligning with the metzora's spiritual rebirth after repentance. The requirement for physical perfection reflects the need for sincerity in repentance—just as the animal must be flawless, so too must the penitent’s commitment to change (Torat Kohanim, Metzora 5).

Gender Distinctions in Offerings

The olah is a male lamb, while the chatat is a female. The Kli Yakar notes that this distinction parallels the differing natures of the sins addressed: the olah (male) atones for active transgressions, while the chatat (female) addresses passive or negligent sins, such as failing to guard one’s speech.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Menachot 49b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the types of offerings and their requirements, particularly focusing on the age and condition of the animals to be sacrificed.
📖 Chullin 27a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the qualifications for animals used in sacrifices, emphasizing the need for them to be without blemish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 6:14 mean?
A: Numbers 6:14 describes the offerings a Nazirite (someone who took a special vow of dedication to Hashem) must bring at the end of their vow. It specifies three types of unblemished animals: a lamb for a burnt offering (olah), a ewe lamb for a sin offering (chatat), and a ram for a peace offering (shelamim). Rashi explains that these offerings symbolize different aspects of the Nazirite's spiritual journey.
Q: Why does the verse specify that the animals must be 'without blemish'?
A: The Torah requires sacrifices to be 'without blemish' (tamim) because they represent our best offerings to Hashem. The Rambam teaches that bringing imperfect animals would show disrespect, as we must give our finest to honor G-d. This principle applies to all areas of life—we should always strive to give our best in serving Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of the three different offerings mentioned?
A: The three offerings serve different purposes: 1) The burnt offering (olah) represents complete devotion to Hashem, as it is entirely consumed on the altar. 2) The sin offering (chatat) atones for mistakes. 3) The peace offering (shelamim) expresses gratitude and joy. The Talmud (Nazir 19b) explains that together they mark the completion of the Nazirite's special commitment.
Q: Why does the Nazirite bring a sin offering if they were being holy?
A: The Talmud (Nedarim 10a) discusses this question and explains that the sin offering atones for the fact that the Nazirite is now returning to ordinary life after a period of extra holiness. Some opinions suggest it's for the 'sin' of abstaining from permitted pleasures (like wine) during the vow. Rambam (Nazir 10:8) teaches that this shows even spiritual paths require balance.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today without the Temple?
A: While we can't bring sacrifices today, the Midrash teaches that prayer replaces sacrifices. The three offerings remind us to: 1) Dedicate ourselves fully to Hashem (like the olah), 2) Seek atonement through repentance (like the chatat), and 3) Express gratitude (like the shelamim). The verse also teaches the value of making and completing spiritual commitments.