Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Vayikra – Shelishi: The Mincha offering, Salt, and Bikurim

📘 Rashi Q&A — Vayikra 2:7–16

2:7 — Grain‑Offering in a Deep Pan

Q1. What is a “מַרְחֶשֶׁת”?

A: A deep frying pan used in the Temple.

Q2. Why is it called מַרְחֶשֶׁת?

A: Because the oil collects inside, causing the dough to quiver and tremble (רוֹחֲשִׁין).

Q3. How does a deep pan affect the grain‑offering?

A: Since the pan is deep, the oil is not burned by the fire, so the offering remains soft and elastic.

2:8 — Bringing the Grain‑Offering

Q4. What does “אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה מֵאֵלֶּה” mean?

A: The grain‑offering may be made from any one of the previously listed types.

Q5. Who brings the offering to the priest?

A: The owner of the offering.

Q6. Who brings the offering to the Altar?

A: The priest.

Q7. To which part of the Altar is the offering brought?

A: The south‑west corner of the Altar.

2:9 — The Memorial Portion

Q8. What is “אַזְכָּרָתָהּ”?

A: The fistful taken from the grain‑offering.

Q9. What is done with the memorial portion?

A: It is burned on the Altar as a fire‑offering pleasing to G-d.

2:10 — Remainder for the Priests

Q10. Who receives the remainder of the grain‑offering?

A: Aaron and his sons.

Q11. What level of holiness does it have?

A: Superior holiness (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים).

2:11 — Prohibition of Leaven and Honey

Q12. What does “דְּבַשׁ” mean according to Rashi?

A: Any sweet fruit, not bee honey specifically.

Q13. What is forbidden to be burned on the Altar?

A: Leaven and sweet fruits.

2:12 — First‑Produce Exceptions

Q14. What offerings are brought from leaven?

A: The two loaves of Shavuot (Atzeret).

Q15. What offerings are brought from sweet fruits?

A: First‑ripening fruits (bikkurim) such as figs and dates.

Q16. Why may these not be burned on the Altar?

A: They are offered to G-d, but do not ascend the Altar as fire‑offerings.

2:13 — Salt on All Offerings

Q17. What is “מֶלַח בְּרִית”?

A: The salt of the covenant, established at Creation.

Q18. What covenant was made with salt?

A: The lower waters were promised to be offered as salt and as the water libation on Sukkot.

Q19. To which offerings does the salt requirement apply?

A: All sacrifices—animal, bird, and the designated parts of all offerings.

2:14 — Grain‑Offering of First Grains

Q20. How is “וְאִם־תַּקְרִיב” understood here?

A: As “when”, not “if,” since this offering is obligatory.

Q21. Which offering is being discussed here?

A: The omer grain‑offering.

Q22. From which grain is the omer brought?

A: Barley, as indicated by the term אָבִיב.

Q23. What does “קָלוּי בָּאֵשׁ” mean?

A: The grain is parched over fire so it can be ground.

Q24. What does “גֶּרֶשׂ כַּרְמֶל” mean?

A: Coarsely ground grain while still moist and full in the husk.

Q25. What does “כַּרְמֶל” describe?

A: Grain that is fresh, full, and moist in its stalks.

2:15 — Oil and Frankincense

Q26. What must be placed on the omer grain‑offering?

A: Oil and frankincense.

2:16 — Burning the Memorial Portion

Q27. What is burned from the omer grain‑offering?

A: The memorial fistful from its ground flour and oil.

Q28. What is burned together with the fistful?

A: All of its frankincense.

Q29. How is this burning described?

A: As a fire‑offering to G-d.