ויקרא, פרק ב׳, פסוק י׳

Grain offerings presented at the altar are not entirely consumed by fire. After a symbolic handful is burned, a portion remains, designated for human consumption. This leftover food carries a distinct spiritual and legal status, given specifically to the priests. While it is granted to the priestly family of Aaron, it is not distributed to the priests at large. Rather, it belongs exclusively to the specific priest who actually performs the offering [אבן עזרא].

This remaining portion is classified as most holy, a status that elevates it above other sacrifices, such as peace or thanksgiving offerings, which are considered merely holy. Its elevated status dictates that it may only be eaten by male priests within the confines of the Tabernacle [ביאור יש״ר]. Furthermore, this strict designation serves as a reminder that even though the priests eat this food instead of it being burned on the altar, it remains an integral part of God's fire offerings [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The laws governing these leftovers were already established earlier regarding standard flour offerings. The primary approach among commentators is that this repetition serves to expand the rules to additional situations. First, it clarifies that grain offerings prepared in an oven, pan, or deep pan share the same status as the raw flour offering, meaning their leftovers also belong to the priests [ביאור יש״ר]. Second, the repetition broadens the strict prohibition against leaven. While earlier instructions forbid baking the leftovers as leaven under the penalty of lashes, the renewed instruction teaches that the leftovers must not be turned into leaven in any manner whatsoever, even if no baking is involved [אור החיים]. Finally, outlining this rule after the descriptions of various grain offerings teaches a practical detail about the ceremonial process. It indicates that the priests are still permitted to eat the leftover portion even if certain steps were accidentally missed, such as bringing the offering to the altar, applying salt, or burning all of the frankincense [אור החיים].