Midrasch zu Wajikra 3:9

1) (Vayikra 3:3): "And he shall present from the sacrifice (of the shelamim") — even if it were not slaughtered in its name (e.g., even if he slaughtered an olah in the name of a shelamim or vice versa). "of the shelamim" — even if he did not perform semichah. "a fire-offering" — to that end (i.e., to exclude an intent of charring it instead of burning it to ashes.) "to the L–rd" — to the Creator of the world.

1) (Vayikra 3:9): "And he shall offer of the sacrifice (of the shelamim"): even if he did not slaughter it in its name (i.e., as a shelamim). "shelamim": even if he did not perform semichah upon it. "a fire-offering": to that end. "to the L–rd": in the name of the Creator of the world.

2) (Vayikra 3:9): "its fat, the fat-tail": to include the fat near the fat-tail, the fat between the loin-sinews. These are the words of R. Akiva. R. Yehudah says: "its fat, the fat-tail": Just as (eating) fat comes under two interdicts ([Vayikra 3:17] "All fat and all blood you shall not eat," and [Vayikra 7:23] "All fat of ox or sheep or goat you shall not eat"), so, (eating the) fat of a (consecrated) fat-tail comes under two interdicts.

3) ("And he shall present …) the fat that covers the innards and all the fat that is on the innards": (This is written five times.) What is the intent of this? Because it is written (Ibid. 3:16): ("And the Cohein shall smoke …) all the fat for the L–rd. (17): … All fat and all blood you shall not eat… (Vayikra 7:25): For all who eat fat of the beast of which one presents a fire-offering to the L–rd, the soul that eats shall be cut off from its people" — I might think that even the wall-fat (the fat of the heart, the chest, and the throat) is included (in the interdict against eating fat); it is, therefore, written: "the fat that covers the innards (the entrails)." I might think that it (eating wall-fat) is not subject to the punishment (kareth), but that it is subject to the exhortation; it is, therefore, written (again): "the fat that covers the innards." would then exclude only the (wall-) fat of chullin, but not that of a consecrated animal; it is, therefore, written (again): "the fat that covers the innards" (i.e., only that fat is intended.) I might think that it (eating the wall-fat of a consecrated animal) is not subject to the punishment, but that it is subject to the exhortation; it is, therefore, written (again): "the fat that covers the innards." I might think that it is not subject to the exhortation and that it is subject to sacrifice (if he so wishes, even though he may eat it); it is, therefore, written (for the fifth time): "the fat that covers the innards" (Only that fat is to be sacrificed.)

3) "fat-tail": I might think that the mitzvah is fulfilled with it (alone); it is, therefore, written: "whole." If "whole," I would think he removed it with the spine (of which it is a part); it is, therefore, written: "above the kidneys." If "above the kidneys," I would think he should not enter (i.e., he should not remove it) anterior to the kidneys; it is, therefore, written: "he shall remove it" — anterior to the kidneys (a span above the tail).

4) "the fat that covers the innards and all the fat that is on the innards": Why mention this? (i.e., it is already written in relation to cattle [Vayikra 3:3]) For I might think that wall-fat (of sheep) is also (to be sacrificed). — But I would reason otherwise!, viz.: If cattle, whose libations are larger are excluded from (sacrifice of) wall-fat — sheep, whose libations are smaller, how much more so should they be excluded from (sacrifice of) wall fat! — No, it may be so with cattle, which are excluded from (sacrifice of) a fat-tail, as opposed to sheep, where a fat-tail is also sacrificed! It is, therefore, written: "the fat that covers the innards and all the fat that is on the innards, and the two kidneys, etc." Only what is specifically written (is sacrificed [and not wall-fat]). R. Yishmael says: Because it departed (from the general category) for a new learning (i.e., the fat-tail), Scripture restored it to its category. (See Baraitha d'R. Yishmael 11).

(Ps. 48:3 [2]): <BEAUTEOUS LANDSCAPE>, THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH, <EVEN MOUNT ZION>. R. Jonathan ben Eleazar said: There is a story about a certain pragmateutes³⁹The Greek word means “trader.” {shepherd} who went to the land of Israel to sell peppers.⁴⁰Exod. R. 51:5; PR 41:2. He came and dwelt there, but he did not make a sale. He said: Is this <the city about which> they have said (in Ps. 48:3 [2]): THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH? In one hour he had sold all his peppers. He said: This is surely THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH, EVEN MOUNT ZION, THE REMOTE REGIONS OF ZAPHON, THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Now what is all this glory for? Because it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Since Jerusalem has been destroyed, (Is. 24:11:) ALL GLADNESS IS OBSCURED; THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH HAS DEPARTED. What is the meaning of IS OBSCURED (rt.: 'RB)?⁴¹Below, Tanh. (Buber), Lev. 3:9. "Became dark," qavelah (in Aramaic). <It is> as they say (in Gen. 1:5):⁴²Also in Gen. 1:8, 13, 19, 23, 31. AND THERE WAS EVENING ('RB). In this world THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH has ceased. When the Holy One returns and rebuilds Jerusalem, he will bring back gladness, as stated (in Is. 51:3): TRULY THE LORD HAS COMFORTED ZION; HE HAS COMFORTED ALL ITS RUINS. HE HAS ALSO MADE ITS DESERT LIKE EDEN AND ITS DRY PLAIN LIKE THE GARDEN OF THE LORD. JOY AND REJOICING SHALL BE FOUND IN IT, THANKSGIVING AND THE SOUND OF MUSIC.