Mishnah Meilah 2:5-6

Sugya Map

• Issue: Defining the termination point of meilah (misuse of consecrated property) liability for various korbanot and their constituent parts.
• Nafka Mina: The cessation of meilah liability differs significantly based on whether a consecrated item (or its component parts) is destined for human consumption (priests/owners) or for complete consumption on the altar.
• Primary Sources: Mishnah Meilah 2:5-6.

Text Snapshot

• "חטאת העוף... נזרק דמה, חייבין עליה משם פיגול ונותר וטמא, אין מועלין."¹ (Mishnah Meilah 2:5:1)
  • Leshon: The Mishnah states unequivocally that meilah liability on the bird sin-offering's body ceases after its blood is sprinkled.
• "עולת העוף... נמצה דמה, חייבין עליה משם פיגול ונותר וטמא, ומועלין בה עד שתצא לבית הדשן."² (Mishnah Meilah 2:5:2)
  • Leshon: In sharp contrast, meilah on the bird burnt-offering persists until it is completely consumed or removed to the Beit HaDeshen (ash pile).
• "חטאת ואשם וזבחי שלמי צבור... נזרק דמן... אין מועלין בבשר, אבל מועלין באימורין עד שיצאו לבית הדשן."³ (Mishnah Meilah 2:5:5)
  • Leshon: This line explicitly distinguishes: no meilah on the meat (which is permitted to kohanim), but meilah continues on the emurim (sacrificial portions) until their complete disposal.

Readings

Rambam's Chiddush

Rambam clarifies that for Kodshei Kodshim whose flesh is eaten by Kohanim (e.g., Chatat, Asham, Zivchei Shalmei Tzibur), meilah on the meat ceases immediately after zerikat damim because it is then permitted for priestly consumption.⁴

Bartenura's Chiddush

Bartenura reinforces this principle, succinctly stating that "a period of availability for the Kohanim" is the decisive factor for the termination of meilah on consumable consecrated parts.⁵

Friction

A compelling kushya arises from the distinct halachot of chatat ha'of and olat ha'of. Both are Kodshei Kodshim, yet meilah on the former's body ceases post-sprinkling, while olat ha'of retains meilah until its ultimate disposition in the Beit HaDeshen. Why the differential treatment?

Terutz

The sevara hinges on the ultimate destiny of the korban. The body of chatat ha'of is eaten by kohanim (Vayikra 6:19)⁶, making zerikat damim its matir (permitting factor). Olat ha'of, however, is entirely consumed on the altar (Vayikra 1:17)⁷, maintaining its exclusive hekdesh status, and thus meilah, until its complete physical transformation/combustion.

Intertext

This Mishnah's nuanced approach to meilah termination reflects a broader halachic principle: the scope of kodesh (sanctity) and its associated prohibitions often aligns with the item's designated purpose and eventual disposition, whether for the altar alone or for sanctioned human benefit.

Psak/Practice

This Mishnah establishes a fundamental heuristic for meilah: liability persists as long as the item remains solely hekdesh for Heaven. Once a part becomes permitted for human (even sacred) benefit, its meilah status on that specific part ceases.

Takeaway

Meilah liability is dynamic, determined by a korban's ultimate purpose and the activation of its permitting factors, distinguishing between exclusive Divine and partial human use.

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¹ Mishnah Meilah 2:5:1 ² Mishnah Meilah 2:5:2 ³ Mishnah Meilah 2:5:5 ⁴ Rambam on Mishnah Meilah 2:5:1 s.v. "אלו שזכר בכאן" ⁵ Bartenura on Mishnah Meilah 2:5:1 s.v. "אין מועלין בבשר" ⁶ Vayikra 6:19 ⁷ Vayikra 1:17