The High Priest must bring a meal offering every day

This mitzvah requires the High Priest to offer a daily minchat chavitin — a griddle-cooked meal offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. Half was brought in the morning, and half in the evening, accompanying the rhythm of the daily avodah.

Rambam codifies this as a unique duty of the Kohen Gadol, emphasizing his continual representation of Israel before Hashem. Sefer HaChinuch explains that the offering reflects humility, as the Kohen Gadol — the highest spiritual leader — must bring a simple grain offering rather than a prestigious animal sacrifice. Talmud (Menachot 50b) records the details of its preparation and baking, while Rashi comments that its division into morning and evening halves parallels the tamid sacrifices, binding the Kohen Gadol’s service to the daily order of the Mikdash.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

• Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 3:20): Codifies the Kohen Gadol’s daily minchat chavitin as perpetual.
• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 138): Explains this offering symbolizes humility and the leader’s constant devotion.
• Talmud (Menachot 50b): Details its preparation, emphasizing exactness in halves and griddle-baking.
• Rashi (Lev. 6:13): Notes that it parallels the tamid offerings in its morning/evening rhythm.
• Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 7:3): Teaches that even the Kohen Gadol must bring offerings of flour, showing that greatness is measured by devotion, not prestige.

Parallel to Yom Kippur Service:

• The Kohen Gadol’s daily minchat chavitin paralleled his unique service on Yom Kippur. Just as he alone brought this offering each day, he alone entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16). Talmud (Yoma 35b) highlights that the Kohen Gadol’s constant devotion prepared him for the awe-filled service of that day. Ramban (Lev. 16:6) explains that his personal offering for atonement mirrored the humility of his daily mincha, teaching that the High Priest’s role was always one of accountability before Hashem, on ordinary days and on the holiest of days alike.
• Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Aseh 35) views the daily offering as symbolic of the Kohen Gadol’s role: continual leadership rooted in service. Talmud (Horayot 10a) reminds us that leaders, too, must bring offerings for atonement, proving their accountability to the people and to Hashem.