Menachot

And to what purpose does R. Johanan employ the term ‘them’? — He requires it for the following which was taught: One might think that an individual may make a freewill-offering [of two loaves] in the same manner and offer it; for I would apply the verse, That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt observe and do,1 the text therefore states, As an offering of firstfruits ye may bring, meaning only the community may bring them but not an individual.2 One might further think that an individual may not offer them since he does not offer the like as an obligation, but the community may offer them [as a freewill-offering] since it must offer the like as an obligation, the text therefore states ‘them’; only these are to be offered, namely, the Two Loaves which are with leaven and the offering of firstfruits which includes honey. But was it then not permissible to offer the Two Loaves as a freewill-offering? Surely it has been taught: Since Scripture has stated any leaven,3 why has it also stated any honey?3 Or since it has stated any honey, why has it also stated any leaven? It is because there is a condition which applies to leaven but not to honey, and there is also a condition which applies to honey but not to leaven. Leaven admits of an exception in that it is permitted in the Temple but honey does not admit of any exception in the Temple. Honey is permitted to be used in the remainder of a meal-offering4 but leaven is not permitted to be used in the remainder of a meal-offering. Therefore, since there is a condition which applies to leaven but not to honey, and there is a condition which applies to honey but not to leaven, Scripture had to state ‘any leaven’ and also ‘any honey’. Now to what did it refer when it said ‘Leaven admits of an exception in that it is permitted in the Temple’? No doubt to the Two Loaves, which may be offered as a freewill-offering!5 — No, said R. ‘Amram; it referred to what was offered with them.6 But then it is the same with the firstfruits, is it not?7 For we have learnt: The pigeons that were upon the baskets [of firstfruits] were sacrificed as burnt-offerings, but those which the people carried in their hands they gave to the priests!8 — Those were only for adorning the firstfruits.9 Rami b. Hama enquired of R. Hisda, What is the law if one offered upon the altar the flesh of a sin-offering of a bird? Does the Scriptural rule10 refer only to that offering of which a portion has been offered upon the fire, and of this no portion has been offered upon the fire; or [does it refer] to everything that is called an offering, and this too is called an offering? — He answered, [It refers to] everything that is called an offering and this too is called an offering. 11 Tannaim differ on this point. R. Eliezer says, [The prohibition12 refers only to] that offering of which a portion has been offered upon the fire; but R. Akiba says, [It refers to] everything that is called an offering. Wherein lies the difference between them? — R. Hisda said, In regard to the flesh of the sin-offering of a bird.13 Rab said, In regard to the log of oil of a leper.13 (For Levi taught: The expression ‘every offering of theirs’14 includes the log of oil of the leper.)15 Our Rabbis taught: Leaven . . . ye shall not burn.16 From this I only know the rule17 for the whole, but whence do I know it for a part thereof? Because the text states, Any leaven.16 And whence do I know it for the mixture? Because the text states, For any leaven.16 What does this mean?18 — Abaye said, It means this: ‘Leaven . . . ye shall not burn’. From this I only know the rule for an olive's bulk,19 but whence do I know it for a half-olive's bulk?20 Because the text states, ‘Any leaven’. And whence do I know it for the mixture?21 Because the text states, For any leaven’. Raba said, It means this: ‘Leaven . . . ye shall not burn’. From this I only know the rule for the [whole] handful, but whence do I know it for half of the handful? Because the text states, ‘Any leaven’. And whence do I know it for the mixture? Because the text states, ‘For any leaven. Wherein do they differ? — Abaye maintains that the handful may be less than two olives’ bulk equally apply to the other. freewill-offering upon the altar. that the rules concerning leaven do not apply to honey. Sh. Mek. burn’. from the other.