פירוש על בראשית 4:3

מפרי האדמה OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND —of the worst fruits (Genesis Rabbah 22:5); there is an Agada which says that it was linseed (Midrash Tanchuma, Bereshit 9).

AND CAIN BROUGHT OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND AN OFFERING UNTO THE ETERNAL. 4. AND ABEL, HE ALSO BROUGHT. These men [Cain and Abel] understood the great secret of the sacrifices and the meal-offerings. So also did Noah, [who likewise offered sacrifices].⁴²¹Genesis 8:20. Our Rabbis have said that the first man also sacrificed a bullock.⁴²²Psalms 69:32. Chullin 60a. This should close the mouth of those who speak foolishness⁴²³Reference is made here to the Moreh Nebuchim, III, 46, where it is stated that the laws concerning the sacrifices were intended as a guard against idolatry. It is this theory that Ramban intends to refute when he says that in the days of Adam, Cain and Abel, there was no idolatry and yet they brought sacrifices. There is thus a positive aspect to the sacrifices which Rambam did not take into account. concerning the reason of the sacrifices. I will yet intimate a great principle concerning this matter with the will of the Holy One, blessed be He.⁴²⁴See Ramban on Leviticus 1:9.

מנחה, a gift of sorts, as in Exodus 32,34. The word is derived from the root נחה as in נחה את העם. [understanding the word נחה in the imperative mode as related to presenting a gift is certainly novel. Ed.]