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Revi’i (Shishi if connected to Behar)
- Erechin-Nedarim/vows:
- Hashem spoke to Moshe saying tell the Jewish people the following laws. When a man makes a vow to donate the value of a soul the following shall be the value to be donated.
- Ages 20-60: The Erech [i.e. value] of a man between 20-60 years of age will be 50 silver Shekel. The Erech of a woman between 20-60 years of age will be 30 Shekel.
- Ages 5-20: The Erech of a male child between 5-20 years of age will be 20 Shekel. The Erech of a female child between 5-20 years of age will be 10 Shekel.
- Ages 0-5: The Erech of a male child between 0-5 years of age will be 5 Shekel. The Erech of a female child between 0-5 years of age will be 3 Shekel.
- Above 60: The Erech of a man over 60 will be 15 Shekel. The Erech of a woman over 60 will be 10 Shekel.
- If the donor is poor and he cannot pay the value stated above, he is to be evaluated by the Kohen and is to pay whatever he can afford.
- Temura:
- It is forbidden to exchange a Karban for a different animal to have it take its place. This applies whether the second animal is of a better condition or a worse condition. If one went ahead and did so, then it and its substitute shall be holy.
- Hekdish-Donations of items to the Temple and their redemption status:
- Animals: If one donates an impure [i.e. blemished] animal that cannot be brought as a sacrifice, it shall be brought to the Kohen and be evaluated by him. Whatever value the Kohen gives it is to be its sale price. If the original owner buys it, he is to add 20% to its value.
- Home: One who donates his house, its value shall be based on the evaluation of the Kohen. If the original owner desires to redeem it, he is to add an extra 20% to its value and it shall then be his.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Vayikra 27:1–15
27:2 — Vows of Valuations
Q1. What does “כִּי יַפְלִא” mean?
A: He articulates explicitly with his mouth, stating the vow clearly.
Q2. What is meant by “בְּעֶרְכְּךָ נְפָשֹׁת”?
A: He pledges to give the fixed Torah valuation of a living person, saying: “I take upon myself the valuation of this person.”
27:3 — Fixed Valuation
Q3. What does the term “עֵרֶךְ” signify?
A: It does not refer to market value, but to a fixed amount determined solely by the person’s age, regardless of actual worth.
Q4. What is the valuation for a male aged 20–60?
A: Fifty shekels of silver, according to the sacred shekel.
27:4 — Female Valuation
Q5. What is the valuation for a female aged 20–60?
A: Thirty shekels of silver.
27:5 — Ages 5–20
Q6. Does this verse refer to a minor making a vow?
A: No. A minor’s vow has no validity. It refers to an adult who vows the valuation of a minor aged five to twenty.
Q7. What are the valuations for ages 5–20?
A:
- Male: 20 shekels
- Female: 10 shekels
27:6 — Ages 1 Month–5 Years
Q8. What are the valuations for ages one month to five years?
A:
- Male: 5 shekels
- Female: 3 shekels
27:7 — Age 60 and Above
Q9. What is the valuation for someone aged 60 or more?
A:
- Male: 15 shekels
- Female: 10 shekels
Q10. Why does the male valuation drop more proportionally than the female?
A: Because in old age a man’s productivity declines more, whereas a woman remains a source of blessing in the home.
27:8 — One Who Is Too Poor
Q11. What does “וְאִם־מָךְ הוּא” refer to?
A: The one who made the vow cannot afford the fixed valuation.
Q12. What must be done in this case?
A: The pledged person is presented to the priest, who evaluates based on what the pledger can afford.
Q13. According to what standard does the priest assess ability?
A: He considers the pledger’s possessions but leaves him basic necessities, such as a bed, blanket, pillow, and tools of his trade.
27:9 — An Animal Fit for Sacrifice
Q14. What happens if someone vows part of a fit sacrificial animal?
A: The vow takes effect even for a single limb (e.g., “the leg is an offering”).
Q15. How is this fulfilled practically?
A: The animal is sold; only the value of the pledged limb goes to the Temple treasury.
27:10 — Substitution Prohibited
Q16. What exchanges are prohibited?
A:
- A good animal for a bad one
- A bad animal for a good one
- And certainly good for good or bad for bad
Q17. What if substitution is attempted anyway?
A: Both animals become holy.
27:11 — A “Defiled” Animal
Q18. What does “בְּהֵמָה טְמֵאָה” mean here?
A: A blemished animal, unfit for sacrifice, not ritually impure.
Q19. What principle does this teach?
A: Unblemished consecrated animals cannot be redeemed unless they develop a blemish.
27:12 — Valuation by the Priest
Q20. What is meant by “כְּעֶרְכְּךָ הַכֹּהֵן”?
A: The priest determines the redemption value for anyone buying it from the Temple treasury.
27:13 — Redemption by the Owner
Q21. What additional requirement applies if the owner redeems it?
A: He must add a fifth of its value.
Q22. Where else does this rule of adding a fifth apply?
A:
- Consecrated houses
- Consecrated fields
- Redemption of second tithe
Only the original owner adds the fifth.
27:14 — Consecrating a House
Q23. What happens when a man consecrates his house?
A: The priest evaluates it, whether good or bad, establishing its monetary value.
27:15 — Redeeming a House
Q24. What must the owner do to redeem his consecrated house?
A: Pay the priest’s valuation plus a fifth, after which it reverts to him.