This Shabbat, we begin reading Sefer VaYikra and its first parasha, VaYikra. The parasha presents many of the different korbanot – sacrifices – that were offered in the mishkan and beit hamikdash.
One of the korbanot that the Torah presents is the korban asham va’dai – a sacrifice of a definite sin. In what situation would somebody bring a korban asham?
Rashi comments on the Torah’s use of the following phrase in reference to the korban asham va’dai – “and he will bring his sin sacrifice for the sin that he performed”. He explains that the case that demands this type of sacrifice is when the person who did the sin was not discovered by others but later he decided that he wanted to repent for his actions. Rashi explains that the first stage of addressing a sin is admitting guilt. After desiring repentance, the person rights whatever wrong he did (for example, repaying a debt). The last step of repentance is for him to bring a korban asham va’dai.
The commentary, Kli Yakar, elaborates on Rashi’s comment. The Kli Yakar explains that the korban asham vadai relates to a common mistake that people make. He explains that people who knowingly commit sins generally justify them. In order to explain their behavior, such a person will make an excuse. For example, when one steals from another, he may say that he is justified because the victim deserves it. All of the other asham sacrifices relate to situations when a person either thinks he might have done something wrong or when he is sure at the outset that he did not do anything wrong. In the case of the asham vadai, he knows he is doing something wrong and justifies it.
First and foremost, the Torah demands us to be honest and to maintain an absolute fidelity to the truth. While it is natural for a person to justify improper behavior, the Torah demands a person to bring a special sin offering – a korban asham va’dai - simply for justifying a sin.
One of the korbanot that the Torah presents is the korban asham va’dai – a sacrifice of a definite sin. In what situation would somebody bring a korban asham?
Rashi comments on the Torah’s use of the following phrase in reference to the korban asham va’dai – “and he will bring his sin sacrifice for the sin that he performed”. He explains that the case that demands this type of sacrifice is when the person who did the sin was not discovered by others but later he decided that he wanted to repent for his actions. Rashi explains that the first stage of addressing a sin is admitting guilt. After desiring repentance, the person rights whatever wrong he did (for example, repaying a debt). The last step of repentance is for him to bring a korban asham va’dai.
The commentary, Kli Yakar, elaborates on Rashi’s comment. The Kli Yakar explains that the korban asham vadai relates to a common mistake that people make. He explains that people who knowingly commit sins generally justify them. In order to explain their behavior, such a person will make an excuse. For example, when one steals from another, he may say that he is justified because the victim deserves it. All of the other asham sacrifices relate to situations when a person either thinks he might have done something wrong or when he is sure at the outset that he did not do anything wrong. In the case of the asham vadai, he knows he is doing something wrong and justifies it.
First and foremost, the Torah demands us to be honest and to maintain an absolute fidelity to the truth. While it is natural for a person to justify improper behavior, the Torah demands a person to bring a special sin offering – a korban asham va’dai - simply for justifying a sin.
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