Mincha (קרבן)
The Mincha Offering (Korban Mincha) was the daily afternoon sacrifice of fine flour with olive oil and frankincense that was offered upon the Copper Altar in the Mishkan and in the Temple.
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The Mincha OfferingTANAKH
The Mincha Offering
TANAKH
The Torah details the procedure for presenting a Mincha offering, including the use of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, and the priest's role in offering a token portion on the altar.
Roles in Meal-OfferingsTALMUD
Roles in Meal-Offerings
TALMUD
The preparation of meal-offerings involves specific roles for priests and non-priests, highlighting the unique aspects of ritual participation in ancient Jewish practice. The Gemara discusses which parts of the meal-offering can be performed by non-priests and which must be performed by priests.
The Soulful Sacrifice of the PoorMIDRASH
The Soulful Sacrifice of the Poor
MIDRASH
A poor person's offering is considered by God as if they have sacrificed their own soul. The 16th-century compilation Ein Yaakov, which focuses on the non-legalistic portions of the Talmud, provides moral and ethical teachings through stories and parables.
Equal Respect for All OfferingsMUSAR
Equal Respect for All Offerings
MUSAR
The priests' consumption of the remainder of the offering ensures that even a poor person's sacrifice is treated with the same respect and significance as that of a wealthier individual. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, delves into the deeper meanings behind Jewish rituals, including the offerings.
The Role of Intention in Sacrificial OfferingsCOMMENTARY
The Role of Intention in Sacrificial Offerings
COMMENTARY
The debate between Rabbi Yose and the sages highlights the critical role of intention in the validity of sacrificial offerings. The Mishnah, a foundational text of Jewish oral law, records this debate in the tractate Menachot, which deals with meal offerings in the Temple.
The Sons of Aaron and the Meal-OfferingTALMUD
The Sons of Aaron and the Meal-Offering
TALMUD
The Torah specifies that only the sons of Aaron, and not the daughters, are responsible for bringing the meal-offering near. The Talmud in tractate Kiddushin discusses the implications of this gender-specific commandment from Leviticus 6:7.
The Willing Spirit in Voluntary OfferingsCOMMENTARY
The Willing Spirit in Voluntary Offerings
COMMENTARY
The term 'nefesh' (soul) in the context of voluntary offerings reveals the depth of a willing spirit behind such acts. Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish commentator, provides a profound interpretation of 'nefesh' in Leviticus 2:1:1, emphasizing the significance of a willing spirit in free will offerings.
The Prohibition Against Leavening in Meal-OfferingsTALMUD
The Prohibition Against Leavening in Meal-Offerings
TALMUD
The Torah prohibits allowing meal-offerings to become leavened, even the portion given to the priests. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, in the Talmudic tractate Sotah, interprets Leviticus 6:10 to include the priest's portion in this prohibition.
The Complexity of Meal OfferingsGUIDES
The Complexity of Meal Offerings
GUIDES
The meal offering, unlike the animal offering, requires preparation and consists of multiple elements. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, in his commentary on the Babylonian Talmud, Menachot, elucidates the distinctions between meal and animal offerings in the Temple.
The Fine Flour of the Meal OfferingCOMMENTARY
The Fine Flour of the Meal Offering
COMMENTARY
The term סלת (fine flour) always denotes 'fine flour of wheat,' and no meal-offering is ever less than one tenth part of an ephah of flour. Rashi, the renowned medieval French rabbi, provides a detailed explanation of the requirements for meal offerings in the Temple.