53. Errors – Shegagos

One who in error transgresses a negative commandment that carries the punishment of “cutting off” is commanded to bring an animal sin-offering. The high priest brings a bull; the king, a he-goat; all others bring a female sheep; but for idolatry they all bring a kid [as it says “If a person sins in error…”].^1,a

If a person is not certain whether or not he has transgressed such a commandment he brings a guilt-offering, as it says “[And if a person sins]… and does not know and is guilty and bears his sin, he brings an unblemished ram of the flocks as a guilt-offering”.² A guilt-offering is also brought by one who has had sexual relations with a betrothed maidservant³ or who has committed robbery⁴ or who has committed sacrilege in error,⁵ as well as by a nazirite who became impure⁶ and by a purified leper.^7,b

A purified leper also brings two sheep as a sin-offering and a burnt-offering; but if he cannot afford them he brings two birds.⁸ A woman who has given birth brings a lamb burnt-offering (as well as a bird sin-offering); but if she cannot afford it she brings a bird instead.⁹ A person who has violated an oath in error or who has entered the Temple or eaten sacred things in error while impure brings a sheep as a sin-offering; but if he cannot afford it he brings two birds (a sin-offering and a burnt-offering), and if he cannot afford even that he brings a flour-offering.^10,c

If the Sanhedrin ruled in error regarding a commandment for which a sin-offering is required and a majority of the people followed their ruling, each tribe brings a bull sin-offering, as it says “And if all the congregation of Israel err…”.¹¹ If the error involved idolatry each tribe also brings a he-goat sin-offering, as it says “If it was done in error by oversight of the congregation…”.¹² All these offerings are burned.^d