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Vayikra: Rabbeinu Bachya: Mitzvah 126 – Concept 347



“For you shall not burn up any leavening or fruit honey as a fire offering to the Lord.” (Leviticus 2:11)It is forbidden to burn yeast or honey on the Altar. (Rambam, Hilchot Issurei

Mizbeiach – The Laws of The Restrictions Concerning Sacrifices)

According to the plain meaning of the text the purpose of the offerings is to atone for one’s sins. Had it not been for the evil urge, man would never have committed a sin in the first place. There would have been no need for such offering. Our Sages (Mechilta Pitcha 8) commenting on Deuteronomy 16:, say that the reason that Chametz is not to be eaten at a time when the Paschal offering can be brought is that the lamb atones for the idolatrous practices of the Jewish peoole prior to the exodus. God wanted to keep anything that reminded them of the evil urge away from them so that they would not be tempted to return to such practices.

Not only Chametz, but also honey is a symbol of a person avoiding responsibility as Adam tried to blame Eve. Devash = Isha, woman.
Rabbeinu Bachya

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