Derasha 9 on Vayikra 4:6

Parashas Vayikra · Aliyah 5 · Passuk 6 · Unit 9 of 11

The Complete Passuk

וְטָבַ֧ל הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־אֶצְבָּע֖וֹ בַּדָּ֑ם וְהִזָּ֨ה מִן־הַדָּ֜ם שֶׁ֤בַע פְּעָמִים֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־פְּנֵ֖י פָּרֹ֥כֶת הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃

Chabad.org — English translation + Rashi

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Toras Kohanim (Sifra), Vayikra Dibbura DeChovah, on 4:6.

Sefaria — Sifra / Toras Kohanim, Vayikra Dibbura DeChovah

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Toras Kohanim (Sifra), Vayikra Dibbura DeChovah, on 4:6
״שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים״ — שֶׁיְּהֵא מוֹנֶה שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים וְלֹא אַחַת וְשֶׁבַע.

English: “Seven times” — that he count seven times, and not one and seven.

In the midrash: The Sifra rejects the Yom Kippur counting pattern of “one and seven” for the ordinary chatas of the High Priest, requiring a straight count of seven.

Type of Learning

Counting method for the seven — he counts seven distinct sprinklings; he does not use the Yom Kippur-style “one and seven” count.

What Is Learned

He counts seven distinct sprinklings; he does not use the Yom Kippur-style “one and seven” count. The Sifra’s reading of “seven times” insists on a simple sequential count of seven applications rather than the special counting formula used on Yom Kippur. This keeps the blood service of the High Priest’s ordinary chatas distinct from the unique procedures of the Day of Atonement.