Numbers 29:14 - Festival offerings' precise measurements

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Hebrew Text

וּמִנְחָתָם סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשָּׁמֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה עֶשְׂרֹנִים לַפָּר הָאֶחָד לִשְׁלֹשָׁה עָשָׂר פָּרִים שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים לָאַיִל הָאֶחָד לִשְׁנֵי הָאֵילִם׃

English Translation

and their meal offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth measures to every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth measures to each ram of the two rams,

Transliteration

U-minchatam solet belula va-shemen shloshah asaronim la-par ha-echad li-shloshah asar parim shnei esronim la-ayil ha-echad li-shnei ha-eilim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּמִ֨נְחָתָ֔ם סֹ֖לֶת בְּלוּלָ֣ה בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים לַפָּ֣ר הָֽאֶחָ֗ד לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ פָּרִ֔ים שְׁנֵ֤י עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ לָאַ֣יִל הָֽאֶחָ֔ד לִשְׁנֵ֖י הָאֵילִֽם׃

Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse in Context

This verse (Numbers 29:14) details the meal offerings (mincha) accompanying the sacrifices during the festival of Sukkot. The offerings consist of fine flour (solet) mixed with oil, with specific quantities for the bulls and rams. The verse emphasizes the precision required in sacrificial service, reflecting the importance of devotion and exactitude in divine worship.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the quantities mentioned—three tenths of an ephah for each bull and two tenths for each ram—are consistent with the standard measurements for meal offerings accompanying animal sacrifices (see Leviticus 2). He notes that the number of bulls decreases each day of Sukkot (from 13 on the first day to 7 on the seventh day), but the meal offering per bull remains the same, underscoring the principle that each sacrifice retains its individual significance.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Temidin uMusafin (Laws of Regular and Additional Offerings) discusses the importance of these offerings as part of the communal worship during festivals. He emphasizes that the meal offerings, though secondary to the animal sacrifices, are integral to the completeness of the service, symbolizing gratitude and submission to Hashem.

Symbolism of the Meal Offering

Fine Flour (Solet): Represents refinement and purity, as it is the highest quality flour, sifted multiple times (Talmud, Menachot 76b).
Oil: Symbolizes wisdom and divine blessing (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 13:2).
Precise Measurements: Teach the importance of exactness in serving Hashem, as even small deviations can affect the sanctity of the offering (Talmud, Zevachim 9a).

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:25) connects the decreasing number of bulls to the diminishing influence of the nations (symbolized by the 70 bulls offered during Sukkot), while the consistency of the meal offerings represents the eternal and unchanging nature of Israel's devotion to Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 29:14 teach about the meal offerings for the bulls and rams?
A: Numbers 29:14 specifies the amounts of fine flour mixed with oil required for the meal offerings (mincha) accompanying the sacrifices of bulls and rams during the festival of Sukkot. For each of the 13 bulls, three tenths of an ephah (about 6.6 liters) of flour was required, while for each of the two rams, two tenths of an ephah (about 4.4 liters) was needed. This shows the precise measurements required for Temple offerings.

Q: Why does the Torah give such specific measurements for meal offerings?
A: The Torah gives exact measurements to teach us the importance of precision in serving Hashem, especially in matters of the Temple service. The Rambam (Hilchos Maaseh HaKorbanos 2:4) explains that these measurements reflect the seriousness and care required in divine service. The amounts were fixed by Torah law and could not be altered arbitrarily.

Q: What is the significance of mixing the flour with oil for these offerings?
A: The mixing of fine flour (solet) with oil symbolizes refinement and richness in our service to Hashem. Rashi (on Leviticus 2:1) explains that the finest quality flour was always used for meal offerings, representing our desire to offer our best to Hashem. The oil represents enlightenment and joy in serving G-d, as oil was also used for anointing and lighting the Menorah.