What do we learn from "bi'Rvos ha'Tovah Rabu Ochleha [u'Mah Kisharon li'V'aleha Ki Im Re'os Einav]"?
Menachos 110a: It does not matter whether one does (offers) much or little (Tzon Kodoshim - even if he could afford a bigger Korban), as long as he intends l'Shem Shamayim 1 . (Kohanim get more to eat from a bigger Korban, but Hashem cares only about the owner's intent.
Rashi #1: When Yisrael improve their deeds, many consume reward of the Mitzvos.
Rashi #2: One who brings many voluntary Korbanos, many Kohanim 2 eat them; Hashem's only benefit is that His will was done.
Rashbam: Like the great good that man gets from great wealth, because he engages too much in acquiring money, there are many who consume and spend his money. Because he profits, his needs are many - 'Birkas ha'Bayis b'Rubah' (Kesuvos 103a).
Ri Kara: According to the great good that man has, it is proper and his honor to increase those who consume it, e.g. slaves and his household, and to finance Aniyim. Refer to 5:10:2:5.
Rid: [Even working the land, the best benefit,] the more good, the more who consume it. If so, what gain does the owner and those who engage in it, other than what their eyes see?!
R. Avigdor: When many 'eat' [his Torah] and teach 3 it to others, then his Torah, which is good, increases - I learned more from my Talmidim than from all of them (Makos 10a).
Seforno: When one has great good, and many consume it, he has many thoughts how to finance everyone, and has no benefit from it.
Metzudas David: When one has great good and success, normally many come to consume it, and he is left lacking good, like he used to.
Menachos 110a: There are two other sources for this. (a) It says "Ishe Re'ach Nicho'ach" regarding Olas Behemah, Olas ha'Of, and Minchah. (b) Refer to 5:11:1:1.
From Shelamim, Kohanim get only Chazah v'Shok. From Olah, they get only the skin! From Menachos, they eat everything except for the Kometz. Perhaps it was common to give to Kohanim even parts of Shelamim permitted to Zarim, for Kohanim are there when the owner gets his animal, they are used to eating Kodshim in Taharah, and people are happy to support Hashem's Sheluchim. (PF)
Perhaps the text should say 'Melamedah' (he teaches it. - PF)
What is the meaning of "u'Mah Kisharon li'V'aleha (Ki Im Re'os Einav"?
Rav Sadya Gaon: The only benefit for the owner is what his eyes see.
Rashi: Hashem gets no benefit from their good deeds, other than seeing that they are subservient to Him. This is a pleasant Ru'ach in front of Him, that His will was done.
Ibn Ezra: "Kisharon" is [proper,] like "Tov? v'Chasher ha'Davar" (Esther 8:5). Many eat it, but [the owner's] only benefit is what his eyes see 1 .
Rashbam: What gain does the owner get from this great good? Why does he toil so much? His only benefit is what he sees [the good in his hand], but he has no gain from it.
Ri Kara: However, if he gathers much property, and he and others do not benefit from it, what gain does he have, other than what his eyes see?
R. Avigdor: If he does not teach his Torah to others, what good can be from his Torah?
Seforno: His only benefit is the Simchah of seeing many who seek him and are financed via his money.
Metzudas David: What benefit came to the one who succeeded? Only seeing the good, for nothing remains in his hand.
Perhaps this means that he decides who may eat from it. (PF)
