Why does the Torah discuss the Minchah (which consists of flour) before the Shelamim (which is an animal like the Olah)?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because it is Kodshei Kodshim like the Olah, as opposed to the Shelamim, which is Kodshim Kalim)
What is the meaning of the word "Minchah"?
Rashbam: It means 'a gift'. 1
As in Bereishis, 4:3 & 32:14.
Why does the Torah insert the word "Nefesh" specifically by a Minchah?
Rashi: Because it is generally a poor man who donates a Minchah, 1 and Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu considers it as if he gave Him his Soul. 2
Menachos, 104b: To preclude a Minchah from Shutfus (bringing it in partnership), 3 as opposed to other Korb'nos Nedavah, where it is permitted.
Sifra: It comes to include a Kohen Gadol in the Din of a Minchas Nedavah 4
Oznayim la'Torah #1: Because the word "Nefesh" in the Torah has connotations of obtaining with toil or a degree of Mesiras Nefesh. 5 A Minchah too, as opposed to other Korbanos, where the owner simply takes an animal that grew up in his herd, the owner obtained the flour by the sweat of his brow, 6 and the oil by means of hard work. 7
Oznayim la'Torah #2: In fact, the Torah only mentions the word "Nefesh" by Chata'os and Ashamos in connection with sin ? "ve'Nefesh ki Secheta", but not in connection with Hakravah, like the Torah does here.
See Oznayim la'Torah DH 've'Nefesh' #2 as to why that is.
See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
See Torah Temimah, note 4.
See Torah Temimah, as to why it is necessary to tell us this.
Oznayim la'Torah: See Bereishis, 3:19.
See Oznayim la'Torah DH 've'Nefesh ki Sakriv' .
Oznayim la'Torah: See for example Ki Seitzei, Devarim, 24:15.
Why does the Torah juxtapose the word "Korban" to "Minchah" (which we do not find by any other Korban Nedavah)?
Zevachim, 91b: To teach us that one may bring a Korban consisting of oil. 1
Menachos, 107b: To teach us that one may bring a Korban consisting of wood. 2
Why is this Minchah called 'Minchas Soles'?
Rashi: Because, a opposed to other kinds of Minchah, from which the Kemitzah is preformed after it has been baked (and broken up into pieces), the Kemitzah is performed whilst it is still flour.
Seeing as the Torah lists five kinds of Minchah, why does it write "So'les Yih'yeh Korbano"?
Rashi: To teach us that someone who declares S'tam 'Harei alai Minchah', must bring a Minchas Soles.
Why does the Torah present a poor man with such a wide choice of (five) kinds of Minchah (Minchas So?les, Machavas, Marcheses and Ma?afeh Tanur - Chalos or wafers)?
Menachos, 104b: It can be compared to a poor man who invited the king to a Se'udah, to whom the king responded 'Prepare for me five kinds of fried food so that I can benefit from you. 1
Oznayim la'Torah: The five kinds of Minchah correspond to the five species of Olah ? a bull, a lamb, a goat, a turtle-dove and a dove (or pigeon), therby givng a poor man the same scope of choice as a rich one.
What is the definition of "Soles"?
What is the minimum Shi'ur of flour of a Minchah?
Rashi: The minimum Shi'ur Minchah comprises at least one Isaron 1 ? a tenth of an Eifah (the volume of forty-three and a fifth egg-volumes).
As the Torah specifically writes in Metzora, 14:21.
Why does the Torah not prescribe 'Shemen Zayis Zach' for the Minchah like it does for the Menorah?
Oznayim la'Torah: To teach us that one should take more care what goes into one's mind and the minds of one's children (with reference to what one reads) than enters one's mouth. 1
See Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Veyatzak alehah Shemen' #1 who elaborates.
The Torah could have written 've'Yatzak (or ve'Nasan) alehah Shemen u'Levonah. Why does it mention Levonah separately?
Rashi: It is like a Ribuy after a Ribuy, which comes to exclude. Consequently, one places oil over the entire Minchah, but he places the Levonah only on one side of the Minchah.
Moshav Zekenim: After putting oil and mixing it with the flour, the Kohen places more oil in order to fulfil the Mitzvah of Yetzikah.
What is the reason for the difference between the Shemen and the Levonah?
Why does the Torah not mention "ha'Kohanim" in connection with the Yetzikah?
What is the significance of the juxtaposition of "Vekamatz ... " to "B'nei Aharon ha'Kohanim"?
Menachos, 18b: To teach us that from the Kemitzah 1 and onwards is a Mitzvas Kehunah.
From where does the owner of the Minchah obtain the Levonah?
Rashi (in Menachos, 21b): From the fact that the Torah inserts "Venasan alehah Levonah" before "Vehevi'ah el B'nei Aharon", it is clear that the owner is obligated to bring the Levonah from home. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 9.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that someone who makes a Neder to bring a Minchah S'tam must bring Soles, since it is the first of the Menachos. But this is the opinion of R. Yehudah, and not of the Chachamim? Moreover, what is R. Yehudah's reason?
Rashi (citing Menachos 104b): It is because it is the first 1 [Minchah in the Torah].
Moshav (citing Menachos 105a): Because it is called a Minchah S'tam, and has no accompanying name.
Moshav Zekenim: This is not the real reason. It is a mere Asmachta.
Rashi writes that a Zar may perform the Yetzikah and the Belilah. But the Gemara in Menachos 18b, lists these among the Avodos of Kehunah?
Moshav Zekenim (citing Menachos 18b): A Yisrael's Minchah requires Kemitzah, and it is only after the Kemitzah that the Kohanim take over. A Minchas Kohanim on the other hand, does not require Kemitzah, and the Kohanim perform the Avodah from the beginning.
