Mitzvah —
228
To estimate the value of consecrated animals
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וְהֶעֱרִ֤יךְ הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֹתָ֔הּ בֵּ֥ין ט֖וֹב וּבֵ֣ין רָ֑ע כְּעֶרְכְּךָ֥ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן כֵּ֥ן יִהְיֶֽה׃ וְאִם־גָּאֹ֖ל יִגְאָלֶ֑נָּה וְיָסַ֥ף חֲמִישִׁת֖וֹ עַל־עֶרְכֶּֽךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בְּחֻקּתַי
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Leviticus 27:12-13 - "The kohen shall then evaluate it whether it is good or bad; like the evaluation of the kohen, so shall it be. But if he redeems it, he shall add its fifth to its value."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Justice / Courts – דִּינִים
When an animal is consecrated to Hashem, the kohen must assign its value according to the Torah’s guidelines.
This mitzvah requires the kohen to evaluate animals that are consecrated by a vow or dedication. The valuation is not arbitrary but follows Torah law, taking into account the quality of the animal. Once valued, the consecrator must redeem the animal according to this assessment if it cannot be offered as a korban.
The mitzvah ensures fairness and consistency in sacred pledges. It demonstrates that even voluntary offerings are structured within halachah, balancing personal devotion with communal justice.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Arachin 2:1): States that consecrated animals not fit for sacrifice must be assessed by a kohen.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 376): Explains that the root is to honor Hashem through fairness in valuation, removing personal bias.
- Talmud (Arachin 19a): Discusses how valuations are determined, whether the animal is strong or weak.
- Rashi (Leviticus 27:12): Notes that the kohen’s valuation is decisive — once set, it becomes binding.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Arachin 2:1) rules that consecrated animals must be valued by a kohen, whether they are strong or weak. Faith is shown by trusting that Hashem’s valuation system is fair and binding, even when human judgment might differ.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 376) explains that the mitzvah ensures fairness in fulfilling vows. By having a kohen determine the value, personal bias is removed, and justice is preserved in how sacred property is handled.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Talmud (Arachin 19a) highlights that the valuation links ordinary property to sacred use. Holiness comes from elevating even mundane possessions into Temple service through fair appraisal.
Speech – דָּבָר
- The process begins with a vow or declaration, binding through words. The kohen’s valuation gives halachic structure to the consecration, showing how speech translates into concrete obligations.
Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת
- Rashi (Leviticus 27:12) emphasizes that “as the priest values it, so shall it be.” This demonstrates the Torah’s seriousness about fulfilling vows — once spoken, the valuation becomes fixed law.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Funds from valuations supported the Temple treasury. Thus, individual consecrations became part of the community’s collective worship, strengthening unity through shared sanctity.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Ultimately, this mitzvah reflects a person’s relationship with Hashem. By consecrating an animal and accepting the kohen’s valuation, the individual demonstrates devotion, accountability, and service directly to G-d.
