The Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) focuses mainly on the laws and rituals related to the service of the Kohanim (priests), ritual purity and impurity, and other related laws. The opening parasha that we read this week lists a range of offerings, what each offering consists of and when they should be brought.
Within the laws of the Mincha (meal offering) there is a directive that states; “No meal offering that you offer to Adonai shall be made with leaven, for no leaven or honey may be turned into smoke as an offering by fire to Adonai” (Leviticus 2:11). At the outset there does not appear to be any obvious reason for such a prohibition, so why does the Torah forbid the mixing of these two ingredients, leaven and honey, in the Mincha offering?
In order to gain some insight into this directive, we need to examine the Mincha offering itself. The meal offering would have consisted of fine flour, olive oil and frankincense. It was a simpler, more modest offering, unlike animal offerings which would have consisted of potentially expensive livestock. However, unlike animal offerings, the meal offering could ferment, causing the dough to rise, and become chametz.
When we think of chametz, we naturally think of its prohibition during Pesach. Chametz is symbolic of arrogance and haughtiness, qualities we are encouraged to rid ourselves of, especially at times when we consider our traditions, including remembering our ancestors’ journey as they prepared to leave Egypt. By prohibiting chametz in the Mincha offering, the Torah teaches us the importance of not being arrogant, but rather that we should act with sincerity and humility, especially when engaging spiritually. That explains the prohibition on chametz in the Mincha offering, but what about the honey?
Honey has many wonderful qualities and purposes in Judaism. The land of Israel is described as “a land flowing with milk and honey” – symbolising abundance and prosperity. On Rosh HaShanah we eat apples dipped in honey – symbolising hope for a sweet year ahead. However, while these enhance our connection with our homeland and provide extra joy on our festivals, with a couple of exceptions elsewhere in our tradition, they are not directly related to sacrificial offerings, which the Torah equates with a direct connection to God.
In this area, honey is associated with excessive sweetness and indulgence. By forbidding its use in the Mincha offering, the Torah teaches us that genuine service of, and connection to God must not focus on enhancing gratification, but rather on proper intention and meaningful commitment. Maimonides states that the custom amongst idolaters (pagans) was to offer all their meal offerings only in leavened form, seasoning all their sacrifices with honey. Therefore their use was forbidden in Temple offerings. This would have provided a clear distinction between the practices of other cultures and those of our ancestors. Though the directive prohibiting offering leaven and honey together pertains to the sacrificial system used in biblical and Temple times, we can learn an important lesson relevant to us today. When we connect with God, through prayer, thought or action, we should do so with humility, sincerity and discipline.
At times when others may deem it appropriate to be haughty, engage in self-promotion, and indulge in excess, the Torah calls us back to the art of simplicity, reminding us that when we connect with God and our community, our deeds, like the Mincha offering, should be pure and genuine.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Sam Zwarenstein