ויקרא, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ב

After establishing a strict ban on burning leaven and honey, God introduces specific exceptions to this rule. While these ingredients are generally forbidden, certain mandatory offerings require them, though the absolute ban on burning them on the altar remains firmly in place. The offerings in question are the two loaves brought on the holiday of Shavuot, which are baked as leaven, and the first fruits brought from sweet species like figs and dates, which produce honey [רש״י, רשב״ם, שטיינזלץ]. These are the exact same leaven and honey that were previously forbidden from being burned [ברכת אשר].

These specific offerings are designated as the first because they must precede any other offering from the new year's crop [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם, צפנת פענח, אדרת אליהו]. Even if a delay occurs and other offerings are mistakenly brought beforehand, the obligation to bring these first offerings still stands [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו]. Because the instruction to bring them is directed at the community as a whole, leaven and honey are permitted exclusively as a scheduled public duty. An individual is not allowed to volunteer a private offering made from these materials [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם, אדרת אליהו]. For this reason, an individual's thanksgiving loaves, which also contain leaven, do not fall under this category because they are voluntary rather than a required public offering [הטור הארוך].

Although these offerings are brought to the Temple courtyard and dedicated to God during a waving ceremony, they are not burned; ultimately, they are given to the priests to eat [רשב״ם, אבן עזרא, חזקוני, ביאור יש״ר]. The warning to keep them away from the altar serves as a strict reminder that while bringing leaven and honey is permitted in these specific cases, placing even a tiny amount on the altar violates the prohibition [רד״צ הופמן, ביאור יש״ר].

The specific boundaries of this prohibition reveal two additional laws regarding the altar. First, the restriction applies not only to the actual surface of the altar but also to the slanted ramp leading up to it [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם, אדרת אליהו]. Second, the ban strictly forbids burning these items to fulfill the commandment of an offering. However, if they are placed on the altar purely to serve as firewood to fuel the flames, without any intention of bringing an offering, it is permitted [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם].