“The Lesson of the Mincha Offering–Giving with a Full Heart”
(updated and revised from Vayikra 5762-2002)

by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

This Shabbat, we begin to read the book of Leviticus, Vayikra, the third book of the Torah. The first parasha of Leviticus, parashat Vayikra, deals with the various offerings that were brought in ancient times in the Temple.

In Leviticus 2:1 we read a series of verses concerning the bringing of the מִנְחָה—Mincha, the meal offering. This offering was generally brought of fine white flour, mixed with oil and wine, and topped off with incense. The parasha tells us that there were actually five different types of Minachot. The first is composed of simply the uncooked ingredients. The four other Minachot may be prepared in an oven, a griddle, a pan or a deep pan, depending upon what the donor chooses to bring. Incense was placed on top of the offering just before it was brought to the altar.

Whenever a burnt offering (עֹלָה—oh’lah) or peace offering (שְׁלָמִים—sh’lamim) was brought, it was accompanied by the Mincha, a meal offering. However, the Mincha offering may also be brought as a separate offering. This happened when a person wished to bring a tribute to G-d, but could not afford to bring an expensive animal sacrifice. The Torah therefore allows an alternative to be brought, in the form of a less-costly meal offering.

The Mincha is unique, as the only offering concerning which the Torah uses the term נֶפֶשׁ–nefesh, soul, to describe the donor. Leviticus 2:1 reads: וְנֶפֶשׁ, כִּי תַקְרִיב קָרְבַּן מִנְחָה לַהשׁם , When a person (literally “soul”) presents a meal offering to the L-rd, his offering shall be of choice flour. He shall pour oil on it and lay frankincense thereon. From here, we learn that a voluntary Mincha, meal offering, was most likely to be the gift of a poor person who could not afford anything else. From the use of the term nefesh, soul, the Torah teaches us that we must place all the more value on the poor person’s gift since the poor person is offering it up with his entire soul. The Midrash Rabbah, Leviticus 3:5, records that a priest once expressed disdain for the small quantity of flour that a woman brought to the Temple. G-d rebuked the priest in a dream saying: “She offered her very soul!”

The Mincha offering teaches us many profound lessons. It declares that Judaism is not the religion of the wealthy. In fact, Judaism provides venues of expression and worship for all the people of Israel, rich and poor alike, young and old, male and female. The Mincha specifically teaches that we must give from the heart. As the Talmudic dictum proclaims (Berachot 5b), אֶחָד הַמַּרְבֶּה וְאֶחָד הַמַּמְעִיט, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּכַוֵּין לִבּוֹ לַשָּׁמַיִם , whether one gives more or gives less, what is essential is that one give with a full heart. It is intention, kavanah, that makes a difference to G-d, the awareness that one has at the time that the offering is made. So it was when Cain brought an offering “of the fruit of the land” (Genesis 4:3), yet G-d did not heed his offering. But, when Abel brought “of the firstlings of the flocks and of their fat,” Abel indicated that he was giving with a full heart. G-d says to Cain, (Genesis 4:6-7), “Why are you upset [that your offering has not been accepted]? You can repent. All you need to do is to offer it with a full heart.” That is what Cain was lacking.

The Al-mighty does not judge people by their good looks. Nor does He value them for their educational degrees or financial success. G-d does not assess us by how articulate we are. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 106b) states definitively: רַחֲמָנָא לִבָּא בָעֵי , G-d wants our hearts–and when we give with a full heart, the Al-mighty responds in kind.

May our offerings be bounteous, and may the Heavenly response to our offerings be full and complete.

May you be blessed.