Talmud - Hagigah 7a חגיגה ז׳ א׳

Produce in the corner of the field that must be left unharvested, which is given to the poor [pe’a]; and the first fruits, which are brought to the Temple; and the appearance in the Temple on the pilgrim Festivals; and acts of loving-kindness; and Torah study.

Rabbi Yoḥanan said: We thought to say that the mitzva of appearance in the Temple does not have a maximum measure, but it does have a minimum measure; until Rabbi Oshaya the Distinguished came and taught: The mitzva of appearance has neither a maximum nor a minimum measure. However, the Rabbis say: The burnt-offering of appearance must be worth one silver ma’a and the Festival peace-offering two silver coins.

§ What is the mitzva of appearance to which this mishna is referring? Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is the mitzva of the appearance of one’s face in the Temple courtyard. One may appear in the Temple as often as he likes over the course of a Festival. And Reish Lakish said: It is the appearance of one’s face in the Temple with an offering. There is no measure in this regard, as every time one appears in the Temple during a Festival he must bring an offering.

The Gemara explains: On the main i.e., on the first, day of the pilgrimage Festival, everyone agrees that the appearance of one’s face must be accompanied by an offering. When they disagree, it is with regard to the rest of the days of the pilgrimage Festival, i.e., whether or not one who appears must sacrifice an offering. Furthermore, anywhere, i.e., in any case that one comes and brings an offering, everyone agrees that we accept it from him. When they disagree, it is when he comes and does not bring an offering. Is this man obligated to bring an offering or not?

The Gemara explains that Rabbi Yoḥanan holds that the mitzva is merely the appearance of one’s face in the Temple courtyard. Therefore, one doesn’t need to bring an offering whenever he comes to the Temple. Reish Lakish said that the mitzva is the appearance of one’s face with an offering, which means that whenever one comes he must bring an offering with him.

Reish Lakish raised an objection to the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan. The verse states: “Three times you shall keep a feast for Me in the year…and none shall appear before Me empty-handed” (Exodus 23:14–15). This verse indicates that one must bring an offering whenever he appears in the Temple. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: That obligation applies only on the main day of the pilgrimage Festival, but not on the rest of the Festival days.

Reish Lakish raised an objection to the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan from a baraita: “And none shall appear before Me empty-handed.” This teaches that Festival pilgrims must appear with animal offerings. Do you say that they must appear with animal offerings, or perhaps it is only with bird-offerings or meal-offerings? And it is possible to determine the answer by logical derivation: It is stated that one must bring a Festival peace-offering for a commoner to eat, and it is stated that one must bring a burnt-offering of appearance, which is for God. Just as the Festival peace-offering that is stated for a commoner is referring to animal offerings, so too, the burnt-offering of appearance that is stated to be sacrificed wholly for God is referring to animal offerings.

And what are these animal offerings that the Festival pilgrims sacrifice to God? Burnt-offerings. Do you say that they are burnt-offerings, or perhaps it is only that they are peace-offerings? And it is possible to determine the answer by logical derivation: It is stated that one must bring a Festival peace-offering for a commoner, and it is stated that one must bring a burnt-offering of appearance, which is solely for God. Just as the Festival peace-offering that is stated for a commoner is referring to an offering that is fitting for him to eat, i.e., a peace-offering, so too, the burnt-offering of appearance that is stated to be for God is referring to an offering that is fitting for Him, i.e., a burnt-offering, which is entirely consumed on the altar.

And similarly, one can learn by logical derivation that your table should not be full of meat while your Master’s table, i.e., the altar, is empty. This indicates that one must sacrifice a burnt-offering whenever one appears in the Temple, which contradicts the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan. Rabbi Yoḥanan again said to him: This obligation applies only on the main day of the pilgrimage Festival.

Reish Lakish raised another objection to the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan. Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: Three times a year the Jewish people were commanded to ascend on the pilgrimage Festival: On Passover, on Shavuot, and on Sukkot. They may not appear partially, i.e., only some of the people, because it is stated: “All your males” (Exodus 23:17). And they may not appear empty-handed, because it is stated: “And none shall appear before Me empty-handed” (Exodus 23:15). Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: That too is referring to the main day of the pilgrimage Festival.

Rabbi Yoḥanan raised an objection to the opinion of Reish Lakish from a baraita: The verse states: “All your males shall appear.” Although the verse as written can be read: “Will see [yireh],” it is actually read: “Shall be seen [yera’e].” The baraita derives that just as I, God, come to see you for free, as He has no obligation to bring an offering when He comes to see us in the Temple, so too, you may come to see Me in the Temple for free, i.e., there is no requirement to bring an offering. The Gemara accepts this objection and therefore proceeds to explain the dispute between Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish Lakish in a different manner.

Rather, with regard to anywhere that one comes to the Temple courtyard after the initial time on the first day of the Festival and he does not bring an offering, everyone agrees that one enters, appears, and exits without having to bring an offering. When they disagree it is in a case where one comes and brings an offering.

The Gemara explains: Rabbi Yoḥanan, who says that the appearance mentioned in the mishna is referring to the appearance of one’s face in the Temple courtyard, maintains that it is this appearance itself that has no maximum measure, i.e., one may appear as often as he wishes without an offering. However, there is a maximum measure, i.e., a limited number of offerings, that one may bring; only one burnt-offering of appearance per Festival. And Reish Lakish said: The appearance of one’s face means with an offering, as even offerings have no maximum measure. One may bring as many offerings during the Festival as he wishes.

Rabbi Yoḥanan raised an objection to the opinion of Reish Lakish: “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be sated with you, and hate you” (Proverbs 25:17). It can be inferred from this verse that one should not bring extra gifts, i.e., offerings, to God. The Gemara responds: There, the verse is referring to sin-offerings and guilt-offerings, i.e., it is better not to sin in the first place.

This explanation is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Levi, as Rabbi Levi raised a contradiction between two verses. It is written: “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,” and it is written: “I will come into Your house with burnt-offerings, I will perform for You my vows” (Psalms 66:13). Rabbi Levi explained: This is not difficult; here, the verse is referring to sin-offerings and guilt-offerings, and there, it is referring to burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, concerning which one may bring as many as he likes.

That opinion is also taught in a baraita: “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house.” The verse is speaking of sin-offerings and guilt-offerings. Do you say it is referring to sin-offerings and guilt-offerings, or perhaps it is only referring to burnt-offerings and peace-offerings? When it says: “I will come into Your house with burnt-offerings, I will perform for You my vows,” burnt-offerings and peace-offerings are mentioned, as these are more pleasant to sacrifice to God. How then do I uphold the meaning of the verse: “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house”? The verse is speaking of sin-offerings and guilt-offerings.

§ Earlier the baraita taught: The people may not appear partially, as the verse states: “All your males” (Exodus 23:17). Rav Yosef thought to say: One who has ten sons should not let five ascend now and the other five tomorrow. Rather, they must all ascend to the Temple together.

Traduction : The William Davidson digital edition of the Koren Noé Talmud, with commentary by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz.

Chagiga 7a discusses the pilgrimage obligation of appearing at the Temple and whether it requires bringing an offering each time.