For the source text click/tap here: Menachot 76
To download, click/tap here: PDF
Our daf quotes a baraita that derives other laws from the passage quoted by Rabbi Shimon. Based on this pasuk the baraita suggests that the solet for the leḥem ha-panim could be purchased as either prepared flour – as was the case for all other meal offerings – or in their raw form as wheat. Rabbi Elazar explains that this stems from the Torah’s desire to be frugal with money belonging to the Jewish people.
Since the volume of flour required to prepare the 12 loaves of leḥem ha-panim on a weekly basis was quite large in comparison to the amount needed for the once-a-year minḥat ha-omer or shetei ha-leḥem, the Torah permitted its purchase in raw form, which made it cheaper.
According to the Gemara, Rabbi Elazar’s source for the idea that God is concerned about the finances of the Jewish people comes from the story in Sefer Bamidbar (Chapter 20) when there was no water to drink, and God supplied a miracle whose purpose was to allow the people – and their cattle – to drink.
Clearly, according to the Torah, the possessions belonging to the Jewish people merited a miracle, as well.
We explore the notion of the Torah being worried for our finances in performing Mitzvot.
