Komentaryong Sumisipi para sa Levitico 4:28

AND IF HIS OFFERING BE A SACRIFICE OF PEACE-OFFERINGS: IF HE OFFER OF THE HERD, WHETHER MALE OR FEMALE. The reason why the burnt-offering may only be male,²³⁵Above, Chapter 1, Verses 3 and 10. whereas in the case of the peace-offering it can be male or female, and the sin-offering must only be female,²³⁶Further, 4:28. This applies only to the sin-offering of an ordinary individual. See further on in the text for the sin-offering of the prince (4:23). is very clear, since the olah (the burnt-offering) is as its name indicates, [i.e., “ascension” — being that it reaches above all Divine attributes], whilst sh’lamim (the peace-offering) is of the expressions: and all My pleasures ‘yashlim’ (he will perform — literally: he will “perfect”);²³⁷Isaiah 44:28. ‘avanim sh’leimoth’ (whole stones).²³⁸Deuteronomy 27:6. Since the peace-offering is brought in order to bring peace into the world, it performs the function of harmonizing all attributes, such as justice and mercy. Hence it may be brought from the male or female (Ricanti). See my Hebrew commentary, p. 19; also Note 240 further. The sin-offering is in order to appease Him with the present that goeth before²³⁹Genesis 32:21. Him. I have already written on this matter.²⁴⁰Ibid., 46:1 (Vol. I, p. 542): “Jacob offered peace-offerings in order to bring all Divine attributes into accord towards him …”. See also ibid., 32:21 (pp. 402-403). The guilt-offering must be a male,²⁴¹Further, Chapter 5, Verses 15 and 25. because the sin-offering is brought for those transgressions [for which, if committed wilfully, the sinner] incurs the penalty of excision, in order that the spirit return unto G-d who gave it,²⁴²Ecclesiastes 12:7. but the guilt-offering is not brought for those transgressions for which [if committed wilfully] one incurs excision, and therefore it is as if it were for a pleasing odor just like the burnt-offering.²⁴³Hence just like the burnt-offering is a male [for the reason explained above], so is the guilt-offering. The sin-offering of the prince is a he-goat,²⁴⁴Further, 4:23; although the sin-offering of a common person is a female, as explained above. because the prince is the sovereign unto whom judgment [rightfully] belongs,²⁴⁵See Ezekiel 21:32. and he fights the battles of G-d and lives by his sword;²⁴⁶See Genesis 27:40. therefore his offering is the same as the he-goat brought in case of idol-worship [by the congregation].²⁴⁷Numbers 15:24.

שנים אומרים לו אכלת חלב – and even one-hundred [witnesses], but he contradicts them and says: “I am sure that I did not eat [prohibited fat],” he does not bring a sacrifice through their word, as it is written (Leviticus 4:28): “Or the sin of which he is guilty is brought to his knowledge,” and not that others would inform him.

בזמן שהלכו – when they brought the couple of sacrificial birds to the Kohen and went on their way, and they are not able to designate/stipulate, but if both of them stand as one, they bring one sin-offering and make the stipulation/designation between them, “behold this one is mine [and your part is forgiven/renounced].” But if you are the one who is liable [to bring the sacrifices], “behold it is yours [and my part is forgiven/renounced],” and that sin-offering is offered and consumed [by the priest]. For especially, the sin offering that comes as a result of a sin, the condition/stipulation does not take effect for it, as it is written (Leviticus 4:28): “or the sin of which he is guilty is brought to his knowledge, but here, when the women bring a sacrifice to be permitted in the eating of Holy Things, that can bring it and make the stipulation/designation. But the Halakha is not according to Rabbi Yosi.