Derasha 1 on Metzora 14:29

Parashas Metzora · Passuk 14:29

The Complete Passuk

וְהַנּוֹתָ֗ר מִן־הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־כַּ֣ף הַכֹּהֵ֔ן יִתֵּ֖ן עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַמִּטַּהֵ֑ר לְכַפֵּ֥ר עָלָ֖יו לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃

Torah Temima points to Zevachim 7b (verified on the daf).

Core Text

יִתֵּן לְכַפֵּר — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאִם נָתַן כִּפֵּר וְאִם לֹא נָתַן לֹא כִּפֵּר.

English: “He shall place to atone” — this teaches that if he placed [the oil] he has atoned, and if he did not place it he has not atoned.

Essential nature of the placement

Chazal teach that the placement of the remaining oil on the head is indispensable for the kapparah of the poor metzora’s offering.