Barry Epstein asked:
The gemara at the end of 27a says "there is no sacrificial item that comes for naught except the asham of a nazir." What does it mean when it says it comes for naught?
Barry Epstein, Dallas, USA
The Kollel replies:
The Shita Mekubetzes (Chidushin, note 25) explains that the Nazir already brings two birds as Korbanos, one as a Chatas and one as an Olah, to enable him to start his Nezirus b'Taharah. The ostensible purpose for the Asham Metzora is also to enable the Nazir to start his Nezirus b'Taharah. This seemingly extra Asham is what Rebbi Shimon Ben Yochai is referring to when he says that the Asham comes for naught.
Kol Tuv,
Yaakov Montrose