Derasha 1 on Metzora 14:04

Parashas Metzora · Passuk 14:04

The Complete Passuk

וְצִוָּה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְלָקַ֧ח לַמִּטַּהֵ֛ר שְׁתֵּֽי־צִפֳּרִ֥ים חַיּ֖וֹת טְהֹר֑וֹת וְעֵ֣ץ אֶ֔רֶז וּשְׁנִ֥י תוֹלַ֖עַת וְאֵזֹֽב׃

Torah Temima points to Toras Kohanim.

Core Text

וְצִוָּה הַכֹּהֵן וְלָקַח — הַצִּוּוּי בַּכֹּהֵן וְהַלְּקִיחָה בְּכָל אָדָם.

English: “And the kohen shall command and he shall take” — the command is by the kohen, but the taking may be performed by any person.

Distinction of roles

Chazal teach that only the command must issue from a kohen; the actual collection of the birds and materials may be performed by anyone.