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Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day

Pesulei Hamukdashim - Chapter 17

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Pesulei Hamukdashim - Chapter 17

1Whenever blood must be presented on the outer altar and the first presentation was made with a proper intent and a second or further presentation was made for the sake of a different sacrifice or he had a disqualifying intent with regard to place or time, atonement is achieved and the sacrifice is acceptable.1אכָּל הַדָּמִים הַנִּתָּנִין עַל מִזְבֵּחַ הַחִיצוֹן שֶׁנָּתַן מֵהֶם מַתָּנָה רִאשׁוֹנָה בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה נְכוֹנָה, וְנָתַן מִמַּתָּנָה שְׁנִיָּה וְאֵילַּךְ בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת שִׁנּוּי הַשֵּׁם אוֹ מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַמָּקוֹם אוֹ מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן - הֲרֵי זֶה כִּפֵּר, וְהֻרְצָה הַקָּרְבָּן.
If the first presentation of blood was made with a disqualifying intent with regard to time and the priest completed the presentation of the blood with a disqualifying intent with regard to place, the sacrifice is piggul. The rationale is that the first presentation of the blood is of fundamental importance.2וְאִם נָתַן אֶת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן, וְהִשְׁלִים הַמַּתָּנוֹת בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַמָּקוֹם - הֲרֵי זֶה פִּגּוּל; שֶׁמַּתָּנָה רִאשׁוֹנָה הִיא הָעִיקָר.
In contrast, with regard to all of the presentations of blood on the inner altar — since they are all absolute requirements for the offering of the sacrifice, as we explained3 — if one of presentations was not made as required, but instead, one had a disqualifying intent, the sacrifice is unacceptable,4 even if all the other presentations were made as required.אֲבָל כָּל הַדָּמִים הַנִּתָּנִין עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הַפְּנִימִי, הוֹאִיל וְכֻלָּן מְעַכְּבִין זֶה אֶת זֶה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, אִם נָתַן אַחַת מֵהֶן שֶׁלֹּא כְּתִקְנָהּ אֶלָא הִפְסִיד בָּהּ הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנָּתַן כָּל הַשְּׁאָר כְּתִקְנָן - הַזֶּבַח פָּסוּל.
2If one had a disqualifying intent with regard to time when making the first of the presentations of the blood on the inner altar5 and had no specific intent6 regarding the remainder or he presented all of them as required with the exception of the final one, which he presented with a disqualifying intent with regard to time, the sacrifice is disqualified, but it is not piggul. It is not given that distinction unless one makes all the presentations with a disqualifying intent with regard to time, for they are all considered as one presentation.בחָשַּׁב בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן וְשָׁתַק בַּשְּׁאָר, אוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן כֻּלָּן כְּתִקְנָן חוּץ מִן הָאַחֲרוֹנָה שֶׁנָּתַן בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן - הֲרֵי זֶה פָּסוּל, וְאֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל, עַד שֶׁיַּזֶּה כֻּלָּן בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן; שֶׁהֲרֵי כֻּלָּן בְּמַתָּנָה אַחַת הֵן.
3Having a disqualifying intent while immersing one’s finger in the blood of a sin-offering7 whose blood is offered on the inner altar can cause a sacrifice to become piggul.8 What is implied? If at the time the priest immersed his finger in the blood, he had a disqualifying intent concerning time, it is as if he had such an intent when presenting the blood on the altar.גטְבִילַת אֶצְבַּע בְּדַם הַחַטָּאוֹת הַפְּנִימִיּוֹת, מְפַגֶּלֶת. כֵּיצַד? חָשַּׁב בִּשְׁעַת טְבִילַת אֶצְבַּע בַּדָּם מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן, הֲרֵי זֶה כִּמְחַשֵּׁב בִּשְׁעַת הַזָּיָה.
4If a priest was standing in the Temple Courtyard and he had a disqualifying intent concerning time with regard to one of the sin-offerings whose blood is offered on the inner altar with regard to an aspect of the sacrifice that is performed in the Sanctuary, the offering is not piggul. If he had such an intent with regard to an aspect that is performed in the Temple Courtyard, it is piggul.דהָיָה עוֹמֵד בָּעֲזָרָה וְחָשַּׁב מַחֲשֶׁבֶת זְמַן בַּחַטָּאוֹת הַנַּעֲשׂוֹת בִּפְנִים בְּדָבָר הַנַּעֲשֶׂה בִּפְנִים - אֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל. חָשַּׁב בְּדָבָר הַנַּעֲשֶׂה בַּחוּץ, הֲרֵי זֶה פִּגּוּל.
5What is implied? If a priest was standing in the Temple Courtyard and said: “I am slaughtering this animal with the intent of presenting its blood tomorrow,”9 the offering is not piggul, because presenting the blood is performed inside, in the Sanctuary.הכֵּיצַד? הָיָה עוֹמֵד בָּעֲזָרָה וְאָמַר 'הֲרֵינִי שׁוֹחֵט לְהַזּוֹת דָּמוֹ לְמָחָר' - אֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל, שֶׁהַהַזָּיָה לִפְנִים בַּהֵיכָל.
6If a priest was standing in the Sanctuary and he said: “I am presenting the blood with the intent to pour the remaining blood10 on the following day,” the offering is not piggul, because he had a disqualifying intent inside the Temple Sanctuary regarding a service performed outside.והָיָה עוֹמֵד בַּהֵיכָל וְאָמַר 'הֲרֵינִי מַזֶּה לִשְׁפֹּךְ שְׁיָרִים לְמָחָר' - אֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל, שֶׁהֲרֵי חָשַּׁב בִּפְנִים בְּדָבָר הַנַּעֲשֶׂה בַּחוּץ.
If, however, he was standing in the Temple Courtyard and slaughtered the animal with the intent to pour out the remainder of the blood on the following day or to offer the fats and the organs on the following day, the offering is piggul, for he had a disqualifying intent while outside concerning a service that is performed outside.אֲבָל אִם הָיָה עוֹמֵד בָּעֲזָרָה, וְשָׁחַט וְהוּא מְחַשֵּׁב לִשְׁפֹּךְ שְׁיָרִים לְמָחָר אוֹ לְהַקְטִיר אֵמוּרִין לְמָחָר - הֲרֵי זֶה פִּגּוּל, שֶׁהֲרֵי חָשַּׁב בַּחוּץ בְּדָבָר הַנַּעֲשֶׂה בַּחוּץ.
7A disqualifying intent concerning a thanksgiving-offering causes the bread that accompanies it to become piggul, but a disqualifying intent concerning the bread does not cause the thanksgiving-offering to become piggul.11זהַתּוֹדָה מְפַגֶּלֶת אֶת הַלֶּחֶם, וְהַלֶּחֶם אֵינוֹ מְפַגֵּל אֶת הַתּוֹדָה.
What is implied? When one slaughtered a thanksgiving-offering and had the intent to partake of its meat, cast its blood on the altar, or offer its fats and organs on the following day, the offering and the bread are piggul. If he had the intent to partake of the bread on the following day, the bread alone is piggul; the thanksgiving-offering is not piggul.12כֵּיצַד? הַשּׁוֹחֵט אֶת הַתּוֹדָה, וְהוּא מְחַשֵּׁב שֶׁיֹּאכַל מִבְּשָׂרָהּ אוֹ יִזְרֹק דָּמָהּ אוֹ יַקְטִיר אֵמוּרֶיהָ לְמָחָר - הַזֶּבַח עִם הַלֶּחֶם פִּגּוּל. אֲבָל אִם חָשַּׁב לֶאֱכֹל מִן הַלֶּחֶם לְמָחָר - הַלֶּחֶם לְבַדּוֹ פִּגּוּל, וְזֶבַח הַתּוֹדָה אֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל.
8Similar concepts apply with regard to the two sheep offered on Shavuot with the two breads offered with them. If one had a disqualifying intent concerning time with regard to the sheep, the two breads are considered as piggul. If he had the intent to partake of the two breads on the following day, the two breads are piggul and the sheep are not piggul.13חוְכֵן הַדִּין בִּשְׁנֵי כִּבְשֵׂי עֲצֶרֶת עִם שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם הַבָּאוֹת עִמָּהֶן: שֶׁאִם חָשַּׁב מַחֲשֶׁבֶת זְמַן בַּכְּבָשִׂים, נִתְפַּגְּלוּ שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם; חָשַּׁב שֶׁיֹּאכַל מִשְּׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם לְמָחָר - שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם פִּגּוּל, וְהַכְּבָשִׂים אֵינָן פִּגּוּל.
If while performing one of the four significant services, the priest had the intent partake of an olive-sized portion of the meat of the sacrifice together with the bread14 tomorrow, the bread alone is piggul15 and the thanksgiving-offering or the sheep are not piggul.חָשַּׁב בְּאַחַת מֵאַרְבַּע הָעֲבוֹדוֹת לֶאֱכֹל כְּזַּיִת מִבְּשַׂר הַזֶּבַח עִם הַלֶּחֶם לְמָחָר - הַלֶּחֶם לְבַדּוֹ פִּגּוּל, וְהַתּוֹדָה אוֹ הַכְּבָשִׂים אֵינָן פִּגּוּל.
9When a priest offers the two bowls of frankincense that accompany the showbread and, while offering them, had the intent to partake of the showbread on the following day, the bread is piggul.16טהַמַּקְטִיר שְׁנֵי בְּזִכֵי לְבוֹנָה שֶׁעִם לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, וְחָשַּׁב בִּשְׁעַת הַקְטָרָתָן שֶׁיֹּאכַל לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים לְמָחָר - הֲרֵי הַלֶּחֶם פִּגּוּל.
10When one slaughters the two sheep for Shavuot and has the intent to eat one of the loaves on the following day, they are both piggul.17יהַשּׁוֹחֵט שְׁנֵי כִּבְשֵׂי עֲצֶרֶת וְחָשַּׁב לֶאֱכֹל אַחַת מִשְּׁתֵּי הַחַלּוֹת לְמָחָר - שְׁתֵּיהֶם פִּגּוּל.
11If one offered the two bowls of frankincense and he had the intent to partake of one of the two arrangements of bread on the following day, both arrangements are piggul.18יאהִקְטִיר שְׁנֵי הַבְּזִכִין, וְהוּא מְחַשֵּׁב לֶאֱכֹל אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַסְּדָרִים לְמָחָר - שְׁנֵי הַסְּדָרִים פִּגּוּל.
12Similarly, if one had a disqualifying thought concerning time with regard to one of the breads of the thanksgiving-offering or with regard to one of the breads of meal-offering baked in an oven, all of the breads are piggul.יבוְכֵן אִם חִשֵּׁב מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן בְּאַחַת מֵחַלּוֹת הַתּוֹדָה אוֹ בְּאַחַת מֵחַלּוֹת מִנְחַת מַאֲפֵה הַתַּנּוּר - הֲרֵי כָּל הַחַלּוֹת פִּגּוּל.
13If, by contrast, one of the two breads of Shavuot, one of the two arrangements of the showbread, or one of the breads of the thanksgiving offering19 — whether before the casting on the altar20 or afterwards — becomes impure, only that bread or that arrangement are forbidden to be eaten. What is pure may be eaten in its state of purity.יגאֲבָל אִם נִטְמֵאת אַחַת מִשְּׁתֵּי הַחַלּוֹת אוֹ אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַסְּדָרִים אוֹ אַחַת מִן חַלּוֹת הַתּוֹדָה, בֵּין לִפְנֵי זְרִיקָה בֵּין לְאַחַר זְרִיקָה - אוֹתָהּ הַחַלָּה וְאוֹתוֹ הַסֵּדֶר אָסוּר, וְהַטָּהוֹר בְּטָהֳרָתוֹ יֵאָכֵל.
14If, while performing the sacrificial service associated with one of the two sheep, the priest had the intent to eat an olive-sized portion of the two breads on the following day — and similarly, if while offering one of the two bowls of frankincense, he had the intent to partake of an olive-sized portion of the showbread on the following day, the bread is disqualified, but it is not piggul. It is given that distinction only when he has a disqualifying intent while performing all the services that permit the bread to be eaten: i.e., bringing both sheep and offering both bowls of frankincense on the altar’s pyre.ידחָשַּׁב בַּעֲבוֹדַת אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַכְּבָשִׂים שֶׁיֹּאכַל כְּזַּיִת מִשְּׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם לְמָחָר, וְכֵן אִם חָשַּׁב בְּהַקְטָרַת אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַבְּזִכִין שֶׁיֹּאכַל כְּזַּיִת מִלֶּחֶם הַפָּנִים לְמָחָר - הֲרֵי הַלֶּחֶם פָּסוּל, וְאֵינוֹ פִּגּוּל; עַד שֶׁיְּחַשֵּׁב בְּכָל הַמַּתִּיר - שֶׁהוּא עֲבוֹדַת שְׁנֵי הַכְּבָשִׂים וְהַקְטָרַת שְׁנֵי הַבְּזִכִין.
15If one slaughtered one of the sheep and had the intent to eat half an olive-sized portion from one loaf on the following day and slaughtered the second lamb and had the intent of eating half an olive-sized portion on the following day, the two intents are combined to render the loaves piggul.21 Similar concepts apply with regard to the two bowls of frankincense and the two arrangements of showbread.טושָׁחַט אֶחָד, וְחָשַּׁב לֶאֱכֹל חֲצִי זַיִת מֵחַלָּה זוֹ לְמָחָר, וְשָׁחַט הַשֵּׁנִי, וְחָשַּׁב לֶאֱכֹל חֲצִי זַיִת מֵחַלָּה שְׁנִיָּה לְמָחָר - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מִצְטָרְפִין לַפִּגּוּל. וְהוּא הַדִּין בִּשְׁנֵי הַבְּזִכִין עִם שְׁנֵי הַסְּדָרִים.
16If one had a disqualifying intent concerning time with regard to one of the two sheep and offered the second with a proper intent, the one that was offered with a disqualifying intent concerning time is piggul and the other is acceptable.22טזחָשַּׁב בְּאֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַכְּבָשִׂים מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן, וְעָשָׂה הַשֵּׁנִי בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה נְכוֹנָה - זֶה שֶׁעָשָׂהוּ בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן, פִּגּוּל; וְהַשֵּׁנִי, כָּשֵׁר.
17If one slaughtered one of these two sheep and had the intent while slaughtering it to partake of the meat of the other one on the following day, they are both acceptable. For the intent one has with regard to one is of no consequence regarding the second.יזשָׁחַט אֶחָד מֵהֶן, וְחָשַּׁב בִּשְׁעַת שְׁחִיטָתוֹ שֶׁיֹּאכַל מִבְּשַׂר הַשֵּׁנִי לְמָחָר - שְׁנֵיהֶן כְּשֵׁרִים, שֶׁאֵין מְחַשְּׁבִין מִזֶּה עַל זֶה.
18The two lambs offered on Shavuot do not cause the bread to be sanctified unless they are slaughtered.יחשְׁנֵי כִּבְשֵׂי עֲצֶרֶת, אֵין מְקַדְּשִׁין אֶת הַלֶּחֶם אֶלָא בַּשְּׁחִיטָה.
What is implied? If one slaughtered them and cast their blood on the altar for the sake of another sacrifice, he did not sanctify the bread. If he slaughtered them with the proper intent and cast their blood on the altar for the sake of another sacrifice, the bread is sanctified, but is not sanctified.כֵּיצַד? שְׁחָטָן וְזָרַק דָּמָם בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת שִׁנּוּי הַשֵּׁם, לֹא קִדֵשׁ הַלֶּחֶם; שְׁחָטָן לִשְׁמָן, וְזָרַק דָּמָם שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָן - הַלֶּחֶם קָדוֹשׁ, וְאֵינוֹ קָדוֹשׁ.
If they slaughtered it for the sake of another sacrifice even though he cast the blood for the proper intent, the bread was not sanctified.23שְׁחָטָן שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָן, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁזָּרַק לִשְׁמָן - לֹא קָדַשׁ הַלֶּחֶם.
19When the two loaves were taken out of the Temple Courtyard between the slaughter of the two sheep and the casting of their blood and the blood of the sheep was cast on the altar with a disqualifying intent concerning time, the bread becomes piggul even though it is outside the Temple Courtyard. For casting the blood has an effect on bread that was taken out even though it is still outside the Temple Courtyard.24יטשְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם שֶׁיָּצְאוּ בֵּין שְׁחִיטָה לִזְרִיקָה, וְזָרַק דַּם הַכְּבָשִׂים בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן - נִתְפַּגְּלוּ שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵן בַּחוּץ; שֶׁהַזְּרִיקָה מוֹעֶלֶת לַיּוֹצֵא, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁעֲדַיִן הוּא בַּחוּץ.
20When the two sheep offered on Shavuos were slaughtered with the proper intent and the breads were lost, they are disqualified if their blood was cast on the altar with the desired intent.25 If their blood was cast on the altar with a disqualifying intent concerning time26 after the bread was lost, there is an unresolved doubt if the meat of the sheep is permitted to be eaten or not.27ככִּבְשֵׂי עֲצֶרֶת שֶׁשְּׁחָטָן לִשְׁמָן וְאָבַד הַלֶּחֶם: אִם זָרַק דָּמָן לִשְׁמָן, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ פְּסוּלִין; זָרַק דָּמָן בְּמַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַזְמַן, אַחַר שֶׁאָבַד הַלֶּחֶם - הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ סָפֵק אִם הֻתְּרוּ בַּאֲכִילָה אוֹ לֹא הֻתְּרוּ.

Quiz Yourself on Pesulei Hamukdashim Chapter 17

Footnotes
1.

Hence the person(s) bringing the sacrifice are not required to bring another one.

2.

See Chapter 2, Halachah 1.
Chapter 16, Halachah 1, states that when a disqualifying intent concerning place is combined with a disqualifying intent concerning time, the sacrifice is disqualified, but is not piggul. In the present instance, it is placed in the more severe category, because once the fundamental presentation was made in a manner that rendered the sacrifice piggul, the the priest’s subsequent intentions are of no consequence.

3.

Chapter 2, Halachah 3.

4.

However, it is not piggul. The Kessef Mishneh explains that it is not considered piggul because one must have the disqualifying intent concerning time when performing all of the presentations.

5.

See Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 5:7.

6.

Literally, the Rambam’s words mean: “Remained silent with regard to the others.”

7.

See ibid.:8.

8.

The commentaries note that this ruling appears to run contrary to the statements of Zevachim 44a: “If one had a disqualifying intent that would render an offering piggul inside the Sanctuary, the offering is not piggul.” Rambam LeAm suggests that Rabbi Elazar, the author of the statement cited, does not accept the concept that one’s intent when immersing one’s finger in the blood can cause an offering to be considered as piggul. If, however, he would have accepted that concept, he would also have accepted the Rambam’s ruling here.

9.

When they should be presented on the day the sacrificial animal is slaughtered.

10.

On the outer altar (see Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 5:10).

11.

For the bread is secondary to and dependent on the sacrifice, but the sacrifice is not dependent on the bread [the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Menachot 2:3)]. See also Chapter 15, Halachah 13.

12.

Rashi’s commentary to Menachot 15a implies that it is forbidden to eat the meat. From the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah, it would appear that the meat is permitted entirely.

13.

Here, also, the bread is considered as secondary to the sacrifice, but the sacrifice is not secondary to the meat [the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (loc. cit.)].

14.

I.e., half an olive-sized portion of meat and half an olive-sized portion of bread (Rashi, Menachot, loc. cit.).

15.

Menachot, loc. cit., mentions both of the situations spoken about in this halachah. One opinion maintains that the ruling was given both with regard to the bread on Shavuot and the bread of the thanksgiving-offering. A second view maintains that it was given with regard to the breads and the offering of Shavuot, for they are interrelated, as evidenced by the fact that they are waved together (Leviticus 23:20). It is possible, however, that it does not apply to the thanksgiving-offering. The Rambam accepts the more stringent view, because of the doubt involved (Kessef Mishneh).

16.

For it is the offering of the bowls of frankincense that enable the breads to be eaten.

17.

For the two loaves are considered as a single offering.

18.

Here too both arrangements are considered as a single offering.

19.

The commentaries have noted the apparent contradiction to Chapter 12, Halachah 14. See the notes to that halachah.

20.

Of the blood of the sacrifices or the frankincense for the showbreads [the Rambam's Commentary to the Mishnah (Menachot 2:2)].

21.

For he had a disqualifying intent concerning time with regard to the entire offering that would enable the bread to be eaten.

22.

In this context, each of the sheep is considered as an independent entity.

23.

It appears that the Rambam follows the view of Rava (Menachot 13b) that bread is considered as consecrated, but it is forbidden to be eaten.

24.

The place where the bread is located is not of consequence.

25.

For as stated in Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 8:15, the offering of the bread is a fundamental requirement for the offering of the sheep and if the bread is lost, the sheep should be destroyed by fire.

26.

The Kessef Mishneh maintains that this is a printing error and the text should read “with an intent for another sacrifice.” This view, however, is not borne out by the manuscripts and early printings of the Mishneh Torah.

27.

According to the Kessef Mishneh, the Rambam's ruling can be explained as follows: One might think that the meat would be permitted to be eaten, because they are peace-offerings and when a peace-offering is offered for the sake of another offering, it is permitted to be eaten, as stated in Chapter 15, Halachah 1. On the other hand, since the sheep are associated with the bread and the bread is lost, there is room to say that they have been disqualified.
The Kessef Mishneh notes, however, that Rabbenu Yehoshua, one of the Rambam’s descendants, was asked about the matter and explained the question according to the existing text. According to his view, the issue is that since the blood was cast on the altar after the bread was lost, the Sages had a question whether to consider the meat as ordinary meat or whether the meat should still be considered as sacrificial meat, because the sheep were slaughtered before the bread was lost.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.
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Rabbi Eliyahu Touger is a noted author and translator, widely published for his works on Chassidut and Maimonides.
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The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.