Mishnah Keritot 6:6-7

Sugya Map

• Issue: The intricate halakhic consequences when funds designated for an Asham (guilt offering) are misused, particularly how this generates layered korban obligations.
• Nafka Mina(s): Distinguishing between an Asham Me'ila (the offering for the sin of misusing consecrated property) and the Keren v'Chomesh (principal and fifth) monetary restitution required by me'ila; affirming the minimal value of an Asham.
• Primary Sources: Mishnah Keritot 6:7.

Text Snapshot

"המפריש שתי סלעים לאשם... לקח בהן שני אילים לחולין... אחד יפה שתי סלעים ואחד יפה עשרה זוז, היפה שתי סלעים יקרב לאשמו, והשני למעילתו." (Keritot 6:7) Dikduk/Leshon: The Mishnah's careful distinction between "לאשמו" (for his asham) and "למעילתו" (for his me'ila) is pivotal. "לאשמו" clearly indicates a sacrifice, while "למעילתו" typically refers to monetary restitution, necessitating deeper analysis of how an animal fulfills this.

Readings

• Rambam, Peirush haMishnayot, Keritot 6:7: Clarifies that "לאשמו" refers to the Asham Me'ila itself—the ram offered for the transgression of misusing consecrated property. Crucially, "למעילתו" signifies the payment of the Keren v'Chomesh (principal and fifth), which in this specific scenario is also fulfilled by a ram, valued at 10 dinars (equivalent to 2 sela'im plus its fifth).
• Mishnat Eretz Yisrael, Keritot 6:7: Emphasizes that the Mishnah here focuses on the initial designation of money for an Asham, rather than an already consecrated animal. It also highlights the theoretical nature of these calculations, noting the distinction between the biblical "שתי סלעים" and the actual market value in zuzim during the Mishnaic period.

Friction

• Kushya: How can the Mishnah state "והשני למעילתו" (and the second for his me'ila)? While Asham Me'ila is an animal sacrifice, the core requirement of me'ila (Vayikra 5:16) is monetary restitution of the principal plus a fifth (Keren v'Chomesh), not a second animal offering.
• Terutz: The Rambam explains that in this specific case, the second ram, valued at 10 dinars (the precise sum of 2 sela'im + chomesh), serves as the mechanism for payment of the Keren v'Chomesh. The individual designated 2 sela'im of hekdesh money, then misused it to buy chulin. The 2 sela'im ram atones for the sin of me'ila, while the 10 dinar ram compensates the hekdesh for the monetary loss incurred by the misuse.

Intertext

• Vayikra 5:15-16: This is the foundational source for Asham Me'ila, stating the need for an offering and the restitution of "את אשר מעל מן הקדש ואת חמישתו יוסף עליו" (the principal of the misuse from the consecrated property, and add its fifth). The Mishnah demonstrates a sophisticated application where this monetary restitution can be fulfilled through a designated animal.

Psak/Practice

The principle that an Asham (other than those for a Nazir or Metzora) must be worth at least two sela'im is a fundamental halakha (Rambam, Hilchot Me'ila 1:1, Hilchot Ma'aseh haKorbanot 1:11). Furthermore, the intricate interplay between the sin of me'ila and its financial restitution, even when fulfilled by animals, underscores the sanctity of hekdesh property.

Takeaway

The Mishnah rigorously delineates how consecration of money establishes a multi-faceted sacred status, leading to distinct asham obligations—one for the sin of misuse, and another for its monetary restitution—even when both are fulfilled through animals.