In Parshas Tzav we learn about the Minchas Chavitim. It was an offering that was brought by the Kohain Gadol which was composed of fine flour that was made into twelve loaves that were boiled and baked and then fried in olive oil. The offering was brought every day. Half of the offering was brought in the morning and the other half was brought in the afternoon. The Minchas Chavitim was offered to bring atonement for the sins of the Kohain Gadol.
The Abarbanel explains that the task of the Kohain Gadol (High Priest) is to attain atonement on behalf of others. However, If the Kohain Gadol is guilty of sinning himself, how then can he attain atonement on behalf of others, when he himself is not free of sin? We find a similar concept in Sanhedrin 18a which says that one should “first correct your own errors and then correct those of others.” It would appear that the concept above reflects a certain Yashrus (fairness). One cannot atone for others, if he himself needs atonement. That would be insincere and hypocritical. Therefore, when the Kohain Gadol brought this offering and received atonement, it cured that insincerity and resolved the hypocrisy. It put the Kohain Gadol’s “house in order” so to speak, so that he could then seek to do the same for others.
The Imrei Emes (Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, ZT”L) writes that since the Minchas Chavitim was offered in the morning and afternoon each day, exclusively by the Kohain Gadol, it is logical to assume that the olive oil that was used for the frying of the loaves of the offering would be kept under the careful oversight of the Kohain Gadol. As part of that oversight, this would be the oil that would be placed in cruses that potentially would have the seal of the Kohain Gadol on it.
We know that regarding the miracle of Chanukah, the Chasmonaim found a cruse of oil with the Kohain Gadol’s seal on in it and they used it to light the Menorah. We know that oil that is used for the lighting of the Menorah has to be of an exceedingly high quality (from the first crushing of the olives). We also know that this is not required regarding the oil that was used for the frying of the Minchas Chavitim. From the fact that the Chashmonaim used this oil to light the Menorah, it stands to reason that it was indeed oil from the first crushing, and since it had the Kohain Gadol’s seal on it, it is likely to assume that the Kohain Gadol who placed the seal on it, had originally intended to use it for the Minchas Chavitim even though such exceedingly high quality oil was not required.
Therefore, it appears that the Minchas Chavitim must have been exceedingly valued and beloved to this Kohain Gadol.
Why was the Minchas Chavitim so beloved to this Kohain Gadol?
According to the Abarbanel above, we may have the answer. The Abarbanel said that the reason that the Minchas Chavitim was brought was to atone for the Kohain Gadol’s sins and by doing so, resolve the insincerity and hypocrisy of atoning for others when the Kohain Gadol himself needed atonement. An offering that resolves hypocrisy and insincerity and makes the Kohain Gadol’s actions consistent and sincere is a very noble offering indeed and that is why the Kohain Gadol rightfully treasured it.
