What is the meaning of the word "O"?
Rashi and Rashbam #1: It means 'If'. 1
Ramban (citing Ibn Ezra), Seforno and Rashbam: It means 'or' 2
What are the implications of "O Hoda Eilav Chataso?
Rashi: When he sinned, he thought that what he was doing was permitted, and he discovered that it was in fact, forbidden.
Ramban #1 (citing the Ibn Ezra), Seforno and Rashbam: Refer to 4:22:3:2*.
Ramban #2: Refer to 4:22:3:1.
Refer to 4:22:2:3. Da'as Zekenim and Moshav Zekenim: -This is written also in connection with the Chatas of a Hedyot, but not in connection with that of a Kohen Mashi'ach or of the congregation, sincce they do not bring an Asham Taluy.
Kerisos, 11b: It implies that he must know that he sinned (even if he is informed by one witness), but not if he is informed by others and denies having sinned. 1
What are the implications of the juxtaposition of "O Hoda eilav Chataso" to "asher Lo Se'asenah ve'Asheim"?
Horayos, 8a: It implies that, if he would have known that it is forbidden, he would not have commited the sin ? to teach us that one may not accept a Korban from a Mumar (apostate). 1
See Torah Temimah, note 86.
Why does the Torah add the word "asher Chata bah"?
Kerisos, 19a: To teach us that he must be able to pinpoint the exact sin. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 88.
Why does the Torah say here "asher Chata bah", whereas in Pasuk 14, in connection with the Chatas Tzibur it said "asher Chata alehah"?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, whereas the Nasi sinned, the Sanhedrin there only issued an erroneous ruling but did not themselves sin.
Why does a Nasi bring specifically a goat?
Moshav Zekenim, (citing R. Eliezer of Garmaiza: The Shevatim (Yosef's brothers) sinned by placing the blood of a goat on Yosef's cloak - Bereishis 37:31), and the Gematriya of 'Nasi' is equivalent to that of 'Shevatim. Consequently, the Nasi atones with a goat.
Oznayim la'Torah #2: He brings a he-goat (as opposed to a Yachid,who brings a she-goat ? so that one can assume that he is bringing an Olah (which is also a male), thereby protecting his honor ? a privilege that a Yachid does not enjoy. 1
What do we learn from the (otherwise superfluous) words "es Korbano"?
Moshav Zekenim citing the Rosh:To teach us that the Nasi should bring a big, fat Korban, since every day he eats fattened animals, and it would not be correct for his table to be full, and Hashem's empty.
