What are the connotations of "me'Einei ha'Eidah"
Rashi (in Ta'anis, 24a): It refers to the Zekenim (the Sanhedrin), who illuminate the people (with their wisdom). 1
See Torah Temimah, note 64. If even one of the Dayanim is a Ger, a Nasin, a Mamzer or too old tohave children, they are Patur. See Torah Temimah, citing Horayos, 4b.
What is "Im me'Einei ha'Eidah Ne'es'sah li'Shegagah" referring to?
How will we reconcile "Im me'Einei ha'Eidah ... " - implying that a minority of the congregation sinned, with "Ki le'Chol ha'Am li'Shegagah", in Pasuk 26, which implies that the majority sinned?
Horayos, 5a: The current Pasuk is referring to where seven tribes numbering the minority of people sinned, whereas in Pasuk 26, the majority of people comprised only six tribes. 1
See Torah Temimah in Pasuk 26 (citing Yerushalmi Pesachim, 7:6) - who explains that, according to R. Yehudah, who holds that one tribe is called 'Kahal', even if one tribe sinned, if they comprise the majority of Yisrael, all the other tribes are obligated to bring a bull as an Olah and a goat as a Chatas.
Why is the word "Chatas" missing an 'Alef'?
Rashi: To hint that this Chatas is different than all other Chata'os that come together with an Olah and which are brought before it, 1 whereas it is brought after the Olah. 2
Rashi: See for example, Vayikra, 5:10.
See Torah Temimah, citing Horayos, 33a - who cites Rava, who learns that the Olah takes precedence from the word "ka'Mishpat" - implying that the Korbanos are brought in the same order as they are mentioned in the Pasuk.
Considering that Chata'os generally preceed Olos, why, in this case, is the Olah brought first?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, whereas generally, one needs to first atone for the sin by means of the Chatas before bringing Hashem the Olah as a gift, Avodah Zarah is different, insasmuch as it relegates the perpetrator to the level of a Nochri, and a Nochri is only permitted to bring an Olah; and it is only after he has regained his initial status of Yisrael that he is able to bring his Chatas.
