Being Certain About Uncertainty: Volume 6, Issue 20, Vayikra
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March 21, 2026; 3 Nissan, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Boruch Moshe Ben Cheyenna
Toward the conclusion of this week’s Parsha (Vayikra 5:17-18), the Torah outlines a scenario in which an individual may have violated a significant prohibition—one that would result in Kares (spiritual excision) if committed knowingly—yet remains uncertain regarding the act. Specifically, the person does not know whether they consumed forbidden fat or permitted fat. In such cases, the Torah mandates the offering of an Asham Taluy, a suspensive guilt offering.
Rashi provides additional clarification about the situation: There were two pieces of fat—one allowed and one forbidden—in front of him. He ate one piece without realizing which one it was. Later, he learned that one of them was forbidden, but he still could not determine which piece he had eaten...