In my recent notes on Parshat Vayikra I focused on the Torah’s radical distinction between one who brings a bullock as a voluntary whole burnt offering in the Mishkan and one who brings a humble meal offering.  The former is referred to as “adam” (a person as ‘earth’) while the latter is referred to as “nefesh” (a person as ‘soul’).

Between these two polar opposites are the individuals who bring sacrifices of sheep/goat or fowl. The Torah is, perhaps purposely, ambiguous by not classifying these donors. Indeed, we are given no information regarding their status as human beings. We can’t be sure  whether such a donor is attempting to emulate the “adam”, the coarse, bombastic showoff, or if his aspiration is aimed in the opposite direction, to achieve the level of the “nefesh”.

What adam and nefesh have in common is that both are outside the bounds of ordinary human character. The adam is earth/dirt. He is so coarse he has not even attained a minimal degree of spirituality, and can only express his connection to God – if indeed he has a connection – through the vulgar display of wealth that is the sacrifice of a bullock. In fact, the Torah considers this sacrifice actually sinful. Hence in the case of the bullock offering, the Torah manifests its disgust with this display of conspicuous consumption. The very bringing of this sacrifice is inherently sinful and in need of expiation. 

וְסָמַ֣ךְ יָד֔וֹ עַ֖ל רֹ֣אשׁ הָעֹלָ֑ה וְנִרְצָ֥ה ל֖וֹ לְכַפֵּ֥ר עָלָֽיו׃

And he shall lay his hand on the head of the whole........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)