Torah Portion: Vayikra
If an individual person from among the people of the land shall sin unintentionally… (Vayikra 4:27).
It is a positive commandment for an individual who unintentionally transgressed one of the well-known major sins to bring a sin-offering, as it is written, If an individual person from among the people of the land shall sin unintentionally… (Vayikra 4:27). This is known as the “set sin-offering”; that is, it is always an offering of a domesticated animal [as opposed to “adjustable olah-offering” that is dependant on the financial abilities of the person who brings it].
The unintentional sins for which one is obligated to bring a sin-offering are those that if done intentionally carry the penalty of kareis-excision. It applies only to negative commandments [but not for failing to perform a positive commandment] and only if the sin is one of action [as opposed to a sin that is committed passively].
As clarified earlier, among the root ideas of sacrifices is the aim of subduing the soul of the one who sinned. Whether the offering is the “sin-offering” or the “guilt-offering” — it is the same idea.
There are three sins discussed in the Torah that although if committed intentionally carry the penalty of kareis-excision yet if done un-intentionally do not require a sin-offering: one who blasphemes, fails circumcision, or one who refrained from performing the Pesach offering. On other unintentional sins —that if done intentionally carries the penalty of kareis-excision — the sinner brings a “set sin-offering.” However, a person who entered the Sanctuary in a state of impurity, although for doing this intentionally one is liable for kareis-excision, the person does not bring a set sin-offering but an “adjustable olah-offering.” Thus, in total, there are forty-three Torah sins for which one brings a “set sin-offering” if the sin was committed unintentionally.
This mitzvah applies when the Holy Temple stands, to both men and women. One who transgressed this and did not offer a “set sin-offering” for his unintentional sin, violated a positive commandment.
