The Golden Frontlet Bears Iniquity and Wins Favor Before the LORD

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 382:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things" and so forth (Exodus 28:38). And which iniquity does he bear? If the iniquity of piggul (improper intention), it is already said "it shall not be accepted" (Leviticus 19:7). If the iniquity of notar (leftover), it is already said "it shall not be counted" (Leviticus 7:18). So he bears only the iniquity of impurity, which is permitted in part for the community. What impurity? If you say a creeping thing, where was it permitted? Rather, it must be the impurity of a corpse, in a case where the owners became impure through a corpse, which shows that owners who became impure through a corpse may send their offerings. In what case? If a nazirite, it is written "and if someone dies beside him" (Numbers 6:9). Rather, it must be one who offers the Passover, in a case where the owners became impure through a corpse. Rabbi Zeira objected: say it is the iniquity of an offering that went outside, which was permitted in part on a high place. Abaye said: Scripture says "for favor for them before the LORD" (Exodus 28:38); an iniquity that is before the LORD, yes; one that went outside, no. Rabbi Ilfa objected: say it is the iniquity of the left hand, permitted in part on the Day of Atonement. Abaye said to him: Scripture says "iniquity," an iniquity that was in it and I set it aside, excluding the Day of Atonement, whose fitness is with the left. Rav Ashi said: Scripture says "the iniquity of the holy things" and not the iniquity of those who sanctify. Rav Sama son of Rav Idi said to Rav Ashi: say it is the iniquity of blemished animals, permitted in part among birds. He said to him: concerning you Scripture says, "it shall not be accepted" and "it shall not be for favor for you" (Leviticus 22:20, 25). Our Rabbis taught: blood that became impure and one tossed it unwittingly, it is accepted; deliberately, it is not accepted. In what case? With an individual, but with the community, whether unwitting or deliberate, it is accepted; and with a Samaritan, whether unwitting or deliberate, whether under compulsion or willingly, it is not accepted. And they raised a contradiction: for what does the frontlet secure favor? For blood, flesh, and fat that became impure, whether unwitting or deliberate, whether under compulsion or willingly, whether of an individual or of the community. Rav Yosef said: it is not difficult; this is the Rabbis, that is Rabbi Yose. It is written, "and every female child among the women who have not known lying with a male, keep alive for yourselves" (Numbers 31:18). How did they know? They passed them before the frontlet: whoever's face turned pale, it was known her time to be intimate had come; whoever's face did not turn pale, it was known her time had not come. A mnemonic: a sign for the passing-before is dropsy. Similarly you say, "and they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known a man by lying with a male" (Judges 21:12). How did they know? They seated them upon barrels of wine: a non-virgin, her scent wafts; a virgin, her scent does not waft. And let them pass before the frontlet? Scripture says "for favor," and not for punishment. If so, in Midian also? Rav Ashi said: it is written "for favor for them," and not for punishment, but for the nations of the world even for punishment. The frontlet, its writing was not sunken but raised, like a gold dinar whose lettering is raised, yet not like a dinar, for there it is from within and here from without.

Themes

TempleSacrificeDivine Justice

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