Komentarz do Menachot 12:1

המנחות והנכסים. עד שלא קדשו בכלי – they are not sanctified as an object which is consecrated as such (i.e., irredeemable), but rather that which is consecrated for its value (i.e., redeemable), that one must redeem them and the monies are holy. And especially, when they were impure, they have redemption, before one has consecrated them in a [consecrated] utensil, but if they were defiled even though they had not been consecrated in a [consecrated] utensil, we don’t redeem them.

Introduction This mishnah deals with “redeeming” holy items. Redeeming is done by transferring the holiness of an item to money. The money then becomes holy and must be used to buy sacrifices or other items for the Temple. The item itself can now be used for secular purposes.

העופות והעצים והלבונה וכלי שרת שנטמאו אין להם פדיון – for redemption that is not stated with an object which is consecrated as such (i.e., irredeemable) other than with a animal having a blemish, as it is written (Leviticus 27:11-12): “If [the vow concerns] any impure animal that may not be brought as an offering to the LORD…and the priest shall assess it.” And the Scriptural verse is speaking about animals with blemishes that had been redeemed, for if it was an actual impure animal, when it (i.e., the Biblical verse) states (Leviticus 27:27): “But if it is of impure animals, it may be ransomed as its assessment, [with one-fifth added; if it is not redeemed, it shall be sold at its assessment],” behold, it is stated regarding an impure animal, and our Mishnah comes to inform us that even though we find with something holy an object which is consecrated as such (i.e., irredeemable) and a blemish befell it we redeem it, whereas the birds and the wood and the frankincense and the utensils of service that are sanctified as objects consecrated as such (i.e., irredeemable) and are made impure, we don’t redeem them.

If menahot and libation-offerings became unclean before they were sanctified in a vessel, they may be redeemed. If [they became unclean] after they were sanctified in a vessel, they may not be redeemed. Once a minhah or a libation offering (the wine or oil that accompanies a sacrifice) is put into a ministering vessel, it may no longer be redeemed. If it becomes impure at this point, it would have to be destroyed. However, if it becomes unclean before it is put into a ministering vessel, it can be redeemed and used for non-holy purposes.

Bird-offerings, the wood, the frankincense, and the ministering vessels, may not be redeemed, for the rule of redemption applies only to [offerings of] beasts. Leviticus 27:11-13 states that if one dedicates an unclean animal to the Temple, the priest evaluates the animal and takes money in place of the animal. This verse, however, was stated only with regard to “beasts” which would include sheep, goats, cows and other mammals. It is not stated in regard to bird-offerings, wood or vessels. Once these are dedicated to the Temple, they may no longer be redeemed.