Derasha 1 on Vayikra 1:15
Parashas Vayikra · Aliyah 2 · Passuk 15
The Complete Passuk
וְהִקְרִיב֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וּמָלַק֙ אֶת־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וְהִקְטִ֖יר הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה וְנִמְצָ֣ה דָמ֔וֹ עַ֖ל קִ֥יר הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
Chabad.org — English translation + Rashi
Source Citation
Torah Temima points to Zevachim 65a (verified; hakohen — melikah with the kohen’s own nail).
E-Daf — Tsurras Hadaf
Core Text of Chazal
Core Text
וְהִקְרִיבוֹ הַכֹּהֵן — מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר הַכֹּהֵן? שֶׁתְּהֵא מְלִיקָה בְּעַצְמוֹ שֶׁל כֹּהֵן.
English: “And the kohen shall bring it” — why state “the kohen”? So that the melikah shall be with the kohen’s own body [his nail].
Type of Learning
Custom (specification of actor and instrument).
What Is Learned
Melikah is done by a kohen using his fingernail, not with a knife.