Mitzvah —
137
Not to put oil on her meal offering
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
Do a Mitzvah — Join us in building a living digital Beit Midrash — your partnership makes it possible.
-
וְהֵבִ֨יא הָאִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ֮ אֶל־הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהֵבִ֤יא אֶת־קׇרְבָּנָהּ֙ עָלֶ֔יהָ עֲשִׂירִ֥ת הָאֵיפָ֖ה קֶ֣מַח שְׂעֹרִ֑ים לֹֽא־יִצֹ֨ק עָלָ֜יו שֶׁ֗מֶן וְלֹֽא־יִתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ לְבֹנָ֔ה כִּֽי־מִנְחַ֤ת קְנָאֹת֙ ה֔וּא מִנְחַ֥ת זִכָּר֖וֹן מַזְכֶּ֥רֶת עָוֺֽן׃ - פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא
-
Numbers 5:15 - "Then the man shall bring his wife to the kohen and bring her offering for her, one tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall neither pour oil over it nor put frankincense on it, for it is a meal offering of jealousies, a meal offering of remembrance, recalling iniquity."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Sacrifices – קָרְבָּנוֹת
The Sotah offering may not have oil placed upon it.
This mitzvah prohibits placing oil on the minchat Sotah (meal offering of the suspected adulteress). Unlike other offerings, which are enhanced with oil and frankincense, this one is intentionally plain, symbolizing the woman’s humiliation and the gravity of the suspicion. The absence of oil underscores that the offering is not meant to bring joy but to expose truth and resolve marital conflict in a holy setting.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Sotah 3:10): Explains that the Sotah offering is brought without oil or frankincense, reflecting its unique purpose.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 360): The root is to distinguish this offering from others, emphasizing its role in uncovering sin rather than bringing merit.
- Talmud (Sotah 14a): Notes the unusual use of barley (animal fodder) instead of fine wheat, further symbolizing disgrace.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
