Leviticus-Chap-2-1-16
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Remember
the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleychem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to the
Meal-Offering (Minchah):
In Chapter 1, we saw the ‘Ola’ (burnt offering) of animals. Chapter 2 introduces the ‘Minchah’, or meal-offering, typically made of
fine flour, oil, and frankincense. This was often the offering of the poor, as
it was less expensive than livestock. It represents the dedication of one’s
daily labour and “bread” to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
(God).
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In this study we will be looking at Leviticus Chapter 2: Verses 1 to 16. Even although there are verses with the ‘Verse by Verse’ section, but why not open your Torah and read this chapter in full, first.
Here is the verse by verse section with excellent explanations for Vayikra - Leviticus Chapter 2: verses 1-16: (JPS 1917 version of the Torah):
Verse 1: “And when any
one bringeth an offering of a meal-offering unto יְהוָה - the LORD, his offering shall be of fine
flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon”.
Explanation: The word for “any one” here is Nephesh (soul), implying that when a poor person offers even a little flour, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim considers it as if they offered their very soul. The oil and frankincense add richness and a “sweet savour”.
Verse 2: “And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests; and he shall take thereof his handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall make the memorial-part thereof smoke upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: The priest takes a “handful” (kometz) to burn on the altar. This small portion represents the entire gift. The frankincense is burned entirely to create a fragrant smoke.
Verse 3: “And that which is left of the meal-offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'; it is a thing most holy of the offerings of יְהוָה - the LORD made by fire”.
Explanation: After אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s portion is burned, the remainder belongs to the priests. Because it is “most holy”. it must be eaten by the priests within the sanctuary grounds.
Verse 4: And when thou bringest an offering of a meal-offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers spread with oil.
Explanation: This describes a pre-baked offering. Whether thick cakes or thin wafers, they must be Matzah (unleavened), symbolizing purity and humility.
Verse 5: “And if thy offering be a meal-offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil”.
Explanation: This offering is prepared on a flat pan. The oil is mixed directly into the flour, showing that the dedication to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim should permeate every part of our work.
Verse 6: “Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon; it is a meal-offering”.
Explanation: Breaking the cake into pieces ensures the oil reaches every part and makes it easier for the priest to take his handful.
Verse 7: “And if thy offering be a meal-offering of the stewing-pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil”.
Explanation: This version is deep-fried or boiled in oil. Each method of preparation (oven, griddle, pan) allowed the person to offer what they were best able to prepare at home.
Verse 8: “And thou shalt bring the meal-offering that is made of these things unto יְהוָה - the LORD; and it shall be presented unto the priest, and he shall bring it unto the altar”.
Explanation: No matter how it is prepared, the act of bringing it to the priest is the formal act of sanctifying the gift.
Verse 9: “And the priest shall take off from the meal-offering the memorial-part thereof, and shall make it smoke upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: The “memorial-part” (azkarah) is what “reminds” אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of the petitioner’s devotion.
Verse 10: “And that which is left of the meal-offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; it is a thing most holy of the offerings of יְהוָה - the LORD made by fire”.
Explanation: A repetition of verse 3, emphasizing that the sustenance of the priests is provided through the holiness of the people’s offerings.
Verse 11: “No meal-offering, which ye shall bring unto יְהוָה - the LORD, shall be made with leaven; for ye shall make no leaven, nor any honey, smoke as an offering made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: Leaven (yeast) represents pride and fermentation (decay), while honey represents excessive sweetness or indulgence. Neither has a place on the altar of sacrifice.
Verse 12: “As an offering of first-fruits ye may bring them unto יְהוָה - the LORD; but they shall not come up for a sweet savour on the altar”.
Explanation: Leaven and honey could be brought as “first-fruits” for the priests to eat, but they were never burned on the altar.
Verse 13: “And every oblation of thy meal-offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to be lacking from thy meal-offering; with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt”.
Explanation: Salt never decays and preserves food; thus, it symbolizes the “everlasting covenant” between אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and the Children of Israel. It balances the prohibition of leaven and honey.
Verse 14: “And if thou bring a meal-offering of first-fruits unto יְהוָה - the LORD, thou shalt bring for the meal-offering of thy first-fruits corn in the ear parched with fire, even groats of the fresh ear”.
Explanation: This refers to the Omer offering. It is made from early barley, roasted by fire to make it grindable and flavourful.
Verse 15: “And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon; it is a meal-offering”.
Explanation: Even the “rough” first-fruits of the field are treated with the same dignity as the fine flour, receiving oil and incense.
Verse 16: “And the priest shall make the memorial-part of it smoke, even of the goats thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; an offering made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: The final verse confirms that the first-fruits, like the flour offerings, provide a "memorial" portion to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, completing the cycle of the harvest.
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My Closing Message:
The “Minchah” teaches
us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim does not look at the price tag of our gift, but the heart of the
giver. Whether it is fine flour or parched corn, if it is seasoned with the
"salt of the covenant" and offered with a humble spirit, it is a “sweet
savour”. May this study of these verses bring light to your day!
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