Torah Portion: Vayikra
It is a negative commandment that the kohen may not place oil on the meal-sin-offering of a poor person, nor put frankincense on this meal-offering, as it is written, He shall not place oil on it nor shall he put frankincense on it (Vayikra 5:11). This is in contrast with other meal-offerings upon which they would place oil and frankincense. [This commandment here is only applicable to a poor person who sinned but not to a wealthy sinner, because a wealthy person never brings a meal-offering for his sin — only an animal offering].
Among the roots of the mitzvah is the idea that oil alludes to greatness and stature, since if you were to mix it with any liquid it will always float above them all. It is also an important substance, which is why it is the substance that was used to anoint anyone who was inaugurated to reign as king or to the priesthood. Similarly, frankincense is also an important substance. For this reason it is not proper to place any of it on the meal-offering of a sinner, who needs to demonstrate worry and humility for having stumbled in sin. We may also say that this law is because of pity for the poor person, to not give him the extra burden of also bringing oil and frankincense, for the Holy One does not wish to burden any creature. This is also the reason why He only required the poor person to bring flour, because there is no person, even the poorest one, who cannot afford a little flour.
This mitzvah applies when the Holy Temple stands, to kohanim, for the Service is upon them. A kohen who transgressed this and placed oil or frankincense on a meal-offering for a poor sinner, receives lashes.
