Why the Griddle and Pan Meal Offerings Differ in the Temple

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayikra 7:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Lev. 2:5:) AND IF YOUR OFFERING IS A MEAL OFFERING ON A GRIDDLE…, and it is written (ibid. 2:7): AND IF YOUR OFFERING IS A MEAL OFFERING IN A PAN. What is the difference between a griddle (machavat) and a pan (marcheshet)? A pan has a cover, a griddle has no cover. A pan is deep and its products tremble (rocheshin); a griddle is flat and its products are firm. The cakes of the High Priest, their kneading and their rolling out are done within, and they override the Sabbath; their grinding and their sifting do not override the Sabbath. All the meal offerings come unleavened, except for the leaven that is in the thank offering and the two loaves, which come leavened. All the meal offerings are kneaded with lukewarm water, and one guards them so that they do not become leavened; and if its remnants became leavened, one transgresses a negative commandment, as it is said (Lev. 2:11): NO MEAL OFFERING WHICH YOU OFFER TO THE LORD SHALL BE MADE WITH LEAVEN.

Themes

SacrificeTempleTribesHumorLevi

Biblical References

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