Derasha 2 on Behaalosecha 8:8

Parashas Behaalosecha · Aliyah 1 · Passuk 8

The Complete Passuk

וְלָֽקְחוּ֙ פַּ֣ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֔ר וּמִ֨נְחָת֔וֹ סֹ֖לֶת בְּלוּלָ֣ה בַשָּׁ֑מֶן וּפַר־שֵׁנִ֥י בֶן־בָּקָ֖ר תִּקַּ֥ח לְחַטָּֽאת׃

Chabad.org — English translation + Rashi

Source Citation

Torah Temimah continues the analysis of the two bulls and the principle that the more sacred precedes; the dual offering (chatas + olah) for the Levites establishes both atonement and elevation.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
דַּם חַטָּאת קוֹדֶמֶת לְדַם עוֹלָה – מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמְּרַצָּה; אֵיבְרֵי עוֹלָה קוֹדְמִין לְאֵימוּרֵי חַטָּאת – מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן כָּלִיל לָאִשִּׁים.

English: “He shall make the one a chatas and the one an olah” — the blood of the chatas comes first because it effects atonement; the limbs of the olah come first because they are wholly consumed.

Type of Learning

Comparative priority of offerings — the text balances the two animals so that each aspect of greater sanctity is honored in its proper place.

What Is Learned

The Levites’ purification is not a single-dimensional act; it requires both the atoning power of the chatas and the complete dedication of the olah.