THE THREE FIRES ON THE ALTAR
ויקרא פרק ו, ב צַו אֶת-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת-בָּנָּיו לֵאמֹר זֹאת תּוֹרַת הָּעֹלָּה הִוא הָּעֹלָּה עַל מוֹקְדָּה עַל-הַמִזְבֵחַ כָּל-הַלַיְלָּה עַד-הַבֹקֶר וְאֵשׁ הַמִזְבֵחַ תּוּקַד בוֹ:
מסכת יומא דף מה/א
אמר קרא היא העולה על מוקדה על המזבח כל הלילה זו מערכה גדולה
In general there are three pyres on the outside Altar. The first one was the largest, on which the Korban Tamid and portions of all the other Korbanos were burnt. The second, smaller one was next to it. From this pyre, the coals were taken every day to burn the incense on the inner Altar. And the third pyre was solely to fulfill the Mitzvah to have a constant fire on the Altar. Any time that a fire was needed elsewhere, it was taken from this third pyre.
LEARNING ABOUT CHATAS IS AS IF OFFERING THEM
ויקרא פרק ו, יח דַבֵר אֶל -אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל -בָּנָּיו לֵאמֹר זֹאת תּוֹרַת הַחַטָּאת
מסכת מנחות דף קי/א אמר רבי יצחק מאי דכתיב זאת תורת החטאת כל העוסק בתורת חטאת כאילו הקריב חטאת
This does not mean that if one learns about Korban Chatas, it is as if one actually offered the Korban. Rather, the learning is a great merit. However, once the Bais HaMikdash is rebuilt, one who is obligated would still be obligated to offer a Chatas (and not be exempt by the prior learning).
Please note that Rabbenu Bachaye states that saying the words of Korbanos is not sufficient. One needs to study the details of the Korbanos. The phrase used by Chaza”l is עוסק, which implies contemplation and investigation.
WOMEN CAN DO THE RITUAL SLAUGHTERING OF THE KORBAN
ויקרא פרק ז, ב בִמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁ חֲטוּ אֶת-הָּעֹלָּה יִשְׁ חֲטוּ אֶת-הָּאָּשָּׁם וְאֶת -דָּמוֹ יִזְרֹק עַל-הַמִזְבֵחַ סָּבִיב:
תורת כהנים ישחטו – ריבה כאן שוחטים הרבה, אף הגרים, והנשים, ועבדים
The entire Parsha has used singular verbs until this verse (which has plural verbs ישחטו). Thus, this phrase includes these three groups (converts, women and slaves) being eligible to shecht a Korban.
Converts would be obviously included. Thus, Rabbi Epstein suggest the proper text would be זרים, which means a non-Kohen (and not גרים), like the words in the Gemara that השחיטה כשרה בזר.
Why didn’t the Torah use this language in the beginning of VaYikra when first mentioning shechitah? If taught earlier when discussing Olos and Chatas, one might think this law applies also to korbanos brought by the congregation. Thus, this specific learning is placed in the section regarding Asham, which a congregation does not bring, only an individual.
Rashi on this verse in Torah says the verse expounds many shechitos since we do find a public Asham. Rabbi Epstein says this is a mistake and should read since we do not find Asham brought by the congregation (and thus, many different types of people are able to shecht).
Embarrassment and the Place of the Chatas and Olah
ויקרא פרק ו, יח דַבֵר אֶל -אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל -בָּנָּיו לֵאמֹר זֹאת תּוֹרַת הַחַטָּאת בִמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּשָּחֵט הָּעֹלָּה תִּשָּחֵט הַחַטָּאת
It is possible to give a reason why the Torah puts together in the same verse the Chatas and the Olah. The Korban Olah is brought as part of the process of forgiveness for poor thoughts of the heart. And the Korban Chatas is brought as part of the process for sins in deeds. And if a unique place was established only for the Korban Chatas, then it would be known to all. And the person needing to bring such a Korban would be embarrassed since others would know that one had sinned, and would be reluctant to do Teshuvah. Thus, one place was established for two types of Korbanos in order to avoid embarrassment to the sinner. Chaza”l find allusion to this concept in the verse in Tehillim, חֲטָּאָּה כְסוּיפֶשַׁע -לְדָּוִד מַשְכִיל אַשְׁ רֵי נְשוּי א פרק לב,that one should not publicize a Chatah (sin).
Time to Eat a Korban and Blessings on Torah Study
ויקרא פרק ז, טו וּבְשַר זֶבַח תּוֹדַת שְׁלָּמָּיו בְיוֹם קָּרְ בָּנוֹ יֵאָּכֵל לֹא-יַנִיחַ מִמֶנוּ עַד-בֹקֶר:
As the Gemara explains (Chulin 83a) in Torah laws the day follows the night (nightfall is the beginning of a day), except for holy matters involving the Bais HaMikdash, where the night follows the day. The reason is understood since Korbanos are only brought during the daytime, thus the daytime is the main component. And this verse clearly implies that the time to eat a Korban (that was brought during the daytime) is all night, and the next day it is not allowed to be eaten.
With this understanding, Rabbi Epstein wishes to explain a problem in halacha concerning the Mitzvah to say a blessing on learning Torah. The law is that we say one blessing in the morning and this applies throughout the day and the following night from having to say another blessing anytime one resumes learning. But we just said that involving Mitzvos, the day follows the night. Thus, if one resumes learning at night, one should have to say a new blessing.
Thus, we can explain this concept by remembering in Korbanos the night goes after the day. And the Gemara (Taanis 27b) explains that in our time, learning Torah is in the place of bringing Korbanos. Therefore, the learning of Torah acquires the laws of Korbanos, in which the night follows the day.
The same concept applies to a Bris Milah. Thus some have a custom to have the special meal at night following the daytime of a Bris (which can only occur during the day). Sifrei Kabalah compare the mitzvah of Milah to the concept of offering a Korban to Heaven.
Torah Study in Place of Korbanos
ויקרא פרק ז, לז זֹאת הַתּוֹרָּה לָּעֹלָּה לַמִנְחָּה וְלַחַטָּאת וְ לָּאָּשָּׁם וְלַמִלוּאִים וּלְזֶבַח הַשְלָּמִים
The Gemara (Menachos 110a) learns from this verse, that anyone that engages in learning Torah does not need to bring Korbanos. However, in other places the Gemara teaches that one that in engages in learning about a Chatas, it is as if one offered a Chatas. And also the Gemara teaches similarly about Asham, etc. This is an apparent contradiction.
But in truth, Rabbi Epstein explains the two statements refer to two different sets of circumstances. When one learns Torah for it own sake, then one acquires great merit, to such an extent that one does not need a Korban. But when one learns so that one would obtain the benefit as if offering a Korban (the second case), then one only receives the merit is as if one offers a Korban.
