"He shall lean his hand upon the head of the elevation-offering; and it shall be accepted as an atonement for him" (1:4)
An integral part of the sacrificial service is the semicha in which the owner of the animal places his hands upon the animal’s head and recites the “viduy” - “confession” for his past transgressions.
Although the verse states “yado” - “his hand” (singular), the Talmud derives from other verses that semicha should be performed with both hands.1 Therefore, the Targum Unkelus translates “yado” as “y’dei” - “his hands” (plural).2 The Ramban explains that perhaps the Torah writes “his hand” to allow for the Talmudic exposition which excludes the hand of an agent.3 However, further elaboration is still required. Why would the Torah record the performance of semicha with one hand if it directly opposes the Halacha which requires two?
The Targum Yonasan’s interpolation is even more perplexing, for he translates “yado” as a single hand.4 How does his explanation conform to the accepted Halachic requirement of two hands?
There is a dispute amongst the commentaries which is based upon the interpretation of a section in the Talmud. The Talmud states that the semicha should be performed “al rosho velo al gavayim”.5 The Rambam understands that the Talmud is prohibiting the placement of one’s hands upon the animal’s back.6 The Chizkuni interprets the Talmud prohibiting the placement of one hand upon the back of another animal.7 What emerges is that according to some commentaries, there is no prohibition against placing one hand upon the other during the performance of semicha.
There is another requirement in the performance of semicha which dictates that the owner use all of his force when placing his hands upon the animal’s head.8 If the surface area upon which the force is being applied is smaller, more pressure will be executed. It therefore stands to reason that the greatest possible amount of pressure which can be exerted with both hands is in the case of one hand resting upon the other. The Torah’s description of the procedure being performed with one hand is alluding to performing the semicha in this very manner, for placing one hand on top of the other gives the appearance of only one hand being used. Therefore, the Targum Yonason retains the literal translation of “one hand” for it is indicative of the preferred manner by which to perform semicha. This explanation is supported by what appears to be an additional word in the Targum Yonason’s translation of the verse. The Targum adds that the semicha should be done “betekufta” - “with force”. This addition is necessary for it explains why he translates the procedure being performed as one hand.
1.Menachos 93b
2.1:2
3.Ibid
4.Ibid
5.Menacos ibid, see Shita Mekubetzes
6.Yad Maaseh Hakorbanos 3:13
7.1:4 based on the Toras Kohanim 4:2
8. Yad ibid
