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18 [1] THIS IS THE LAW OF THE SIN-OFFERING. In *Seder Vayikra* He commanded concerning [the offerings in the following order]: the burnt-offering, the meal-offering, the peace-offerings, the sin-offering and the guilt-offering, [the reason for this order being] that at first He spoke about the freewill offerings [namely the burnt-offering, the meal-offering and the peace-offerings], and afterwards He mentioned those offerings which are obligatory upon the sinner. Here, however, [in *Seder Tzav*] the explanation is given first in connection with the burnt-offering and meal-offering, and only then about the sin-offering and guilt-offering, because He wished to explain the laws of the most holy offerings [in one group], since there is one law for them all, as He said [above in Verse 10] with reference to the meal-offering, *it is most holy, as the sin-offering and the guilt-offering*, and only afterwards He explains the law of those offerings which are less holy [namely, the peace-offerings].
Now in this section [dealing with the sin-offering] He added many new laws. [The verse] *This is the law of the sin-offering* teaches that there is one law for all sin-offerings, meaning that even the blood of “the inner sin-offerings” [if sprinkled upon a garment] must be washed off [*in a holy place*]. I might think that this applies also to a sin-offering brought from a bird, Scripture therefore says *zoth* [*‘zoth’ torath hachatath* (*‘this’ is the law of the sin-offering*) — and the word *zoth* denotes exclusion]. He also states here [in the verse before us], *in the place where the burnt-offering is slaughtered shall the sin-offering be slaughtered before the Eternal*, thus indicating that all sin-offerings must be slaughtered only on the northern side of the altar, since in the section of *Vayikra* this was stated only with reference to the sin-offering of the prince and of the individual; therefore here [in this section] they are all included — the sin-offerings of the public and “the inner sin-offerings.”
The Rabbis have further interpreted: *Most holy*, this comes to include the peace-offerings of the public, teaching that they may only be slaughtered on the northern side of the altar, as all offerings of the most holy degree are required to be slaughtered on the northern side. *Hi* (this) — *‘this’ is the law of the sin-offering*, comes to exclude the thanks-offering and the ram of the Nazirite [thus teaching that they may be slaughtered anywhere in the Temple Court, as their holiness is of a lesser degree]. He further commanded here to give the meat of the sin-offerings to the sons of Aaron — that is, to the males and not the daughters of Aaron — and commanded them to eat it *within the Court of the Tent of Meeting*. In addition He mentioned [in this section] many new laws concerning absorption [of the taste of] the sin-offerings [by the vessels in which they are boiled].
Version: Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002108945/NLI
License: CC-BY