Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "ve'Korbano <i>Ka?aras Kesef ? "?
Sifri: To teach us that the dish and the bowl were manufactured initially for the sake of the Korbanos. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 9.
Why does the Torah add a 'Vav' in "ve'Korbano"?
Hadar Zekeinim (in Pasuk 12) and Ba'al ha'Turim: It hints at Nachshon's six descendents, each of whom will be blessed with six B'rachos (Moshav Zekeinim on Pasuk 12 - six Midos) - David, Mashi'ach, Daniel, Chananyah, Misha'el and Azaryah. 1
Rashbam, Ibn Ezra and Moshav Zekeinim #1: Since it follows "Vay'hi ha'Makriv ba'Yom ha'Rishon... ".
Da'as Zekeinim and Moshav Zekeinim #2: To prevent Nachshon from becoming conceited for being the first to bring his Korban - since "ve'Korbano" suggests that he was not the first.
Moshav Zekeinim #3 (citing the Rosh): It hints at six 2 things that began on that day - the Kehunah, Birkas Kohanim, the Korbanos, the months, the counting from Yetzi'as Mitzrayim 3 , and burning the Parah Adumah. 4
The Midrash Rabah in Rus lists them as David, Chizkiyahu, Yoshiyau, Chananyah Misha'el va'Azaryah, Daniel and Mashi'ach. See also Ba'al ha'Turim who elaborates and gives additional answers to the question.
Shabbos 87a: The day boasted ten crowns (firsts. Those not listed here are [the first] day of creation (Sunday), day of Chanukas ha'Mizbe'ach, fire descending from Heaven, Achilas Kohanim of Korbanos, Isur Bamos, and the Shechinah descending upon Machaneh Yisrael.) Due to this, the Da'as Zekeinim (on Pasuk 17) rejects a similar D'rashah about six Chidushim of the day. Refer to 7:17:1:3 and note.
It began the first full year from Yetzi'as Egypt. (PF)
I did not find anyone else who say so. Seider Olam and all the other commentaries say that the Parah was burned on the second of Nisan. The Gemara does however, say in Gitin 60a that the Parshah of Parah Adumah was said on the first of Nisan.
What kind of flour-offering did the Nesi'im bring?
Rashi: They brought a Minchas Nedavah. 1
And not a Minchas Nesachim - that accompanies another Korban (See Sifsei Chachamim).
What is the significance of the variety of Korbanos that the Nesi'im brought?
Why did the Nesi'im bring "Ka'aras Kesef Achas" (one silver dish) and "Mizrak Echad Kesef" (one silver basin)?
Rashi 1 (in Pasuk 19, citing R. Moshe ha'Darshen): Because the Gematriyah of 'Ka'aras Kesef' (nine hundred and thirty) corresponds to the years that Adam ha'Rishon lived, whereas the Gematriyah of 'Mizrak Echad Kesef' (five hundred and twenty) corresponds to No'ach's age when he first had children (five bundred), plus twenty years prior to that, when the decree to destroy the world was issued.
Ramban (in Pasuk 2, citing Bamidbar Rabah): They correspond to the two kings who were destined to descend from Nachshon - Sh'lomoh and Mashi'ach and who will rule over the sea and dry land. The dish symbolizes the sea, which surrounds the land and is like a dish. The bucket alludes to this world, which is like a ball. 2
Rashi explains the intention of the Korbanos specifically of Nesanel ben Tzu'ar (Pesukim 19-23), because he was the one to suggest to the Nesi'im to bring these Korbanos and they all shared the same intentions. Others disagree - Refer to 7:18:1:2,3 & 4.
And it is called "Mizrak" which is thrown from hand to hand. See R. Chavel's footnotes.
What are the implications of the word "Sheneihem Mele'im So'les"?
Targum Yonasan: It implies that the dish and the bowl held an equivalant amount of flour. 1
Sifri: It implies that the dish, like the bowl, was manufactured of Shekalim that were Shekel ha'Kodesh (which is double that of a regular Shekel). 2
If the word "Sheneihem" implies that the amounts of flour in the dish and in the basin were equal, how come that the dish weighed a hundred and thirty Shekel and the basin, only seventy?
Targum Yonasan: Because the wall of the dish was thicker than that of the basin. 1
See Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'G'ra. See also Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Ka'aras Kesef Achas'.
What is "Sheneihem Me'le'im So'les" coming to teach us?
Sifri: It teaches us that, although the measurin vessels that are made to hold liquid do not sanctify solids, the bowls - which are also made to hold liquid, are. 1
Zevachim, 88a: "Mele'im" means complete, 2 and it teaches us that K'lei Shareis only sanctify if they are complete.
What is the significance of the hundred and thirty Shekel weight of the dish?
Rashi (in Pasuk 19, citing R. Moshe ha'Darshen): It corresponds to the age of Adam ha'Rishon, when he gave birth 1 (to Sheis - Ba'al ha'Turim).
Ramban (in Pasuk 2, citing Bamidbar Rabah 13:14): It corresponds to the 'Yamim' (Gematriyah - a hundred) that Hashem created on the third day, and the 'Yam' that Sh'lomoh added, the circumference of which was thirty Amos. 2
Da'as Zekeinim and Hadar Zekeinim (in Pasuk 19) and Rosh (on Pasuk 12): It is the age of Yocheved when she gave birth to Moshe.
Rashi: See Bereishis, 5:3.
The gigantic Mikvah known as the 'Yam Shel Sh'lomoh'; Melachim 1, 7:23.
What is the significance of the seventy Shekalim?
Rashi (in Pasuk 19, citing R. Moshe ha'Darshen): It corresponds to the seventy nations that descended from Adam.
Ramban (in Pasuk 2, citing Bamidbar Rabah): It corresponds to the seventy nations over whom Sh'lomoh and Mashi'ach would subsequently rule.
Da'as Zekeinim, Hadar Zekeinim (in Pasuk 19) and Rosh (in Pasuk 12): It corresponds to Moshe, who was equal to the seventy Zekeinim of the Sanhedrin.
Ba'al ha'Turim #1: It corresponds to the seventy souls who went down to Egypt. 1
Ba'al ha'Turim #2: It corresponds to the seventy years that Adam left for his children 2 and to save Yisrael from the seventy nations.
What is the significance of "Sheneihem Mele'im So'les"?
Ramban (in Pasuk 2, citing Bamidbar Rabah): All nations will bring gifts to Sh'lomoh and Mashi'ach, and they are praised like fine gold ("ha'Mesula'im ba'Paz" - Eichah, 4:2).
Da'as Zekeinim: It hints at Moshe and Aharon, who were equal.
What is the significance of the words "Belulah ba'Shemen "?
Ramban (on Pasuk 2 citing Bamidbar Rabah 13:14): It corresponds to Sh'lomoh and Mashi'ach's good name. 1
As the Pasuk writes in Koheles, 7:1 "Tov Shem mi'Shemen Tov".
What is the significance of the fact that the bowl was made of silver?
Ramban (in Pasuk 2, citing Bamidbar Rabah): It is in keeping with the Pasuk in Mishlei, 10:2 "Kesef Nivchar Lashon Tzadik" (regarding Sh'lomoh and Mashi'ach).
Hadar Zekeinim (in Pasuk 19): Refer to 7:13:5:3. Because Yocheved was very dear to Hashem - and the word "Kesef" has connotations of desire. 1 - "Nichsafti".
As in Tehilim, 84:3 "Nichs'fah ve'Gam Kalsah Nafshi".
Which kind of Minchah did the Nesi'im bring?
