ויקרא, פרק ד׳, פסוק ל״ה

The final stage of a regular person's sin offering centers on dedicating specific parts of the animal on the altar to achieve true forgiveness. The instructions draw a direct parallel to the peace offering to clarify exactly what must be removed. Along with the internal fats, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver, the animal's fat tail must also be removed and burned [רש״י, רשב״ם, ביאור יש״ר, שטיינזלץ, רד״צ הופמן]. This requirement is entirely unique to a sheep; if a goat is brought instead, its tail is not included [אבן עזרא]. The specific terminology used to describe the sheep hints at thickness and fatness, emphasizing the duty to offer this thick, fatty tail to God [מלבי״ם].

Once removed, these portions are given over to the flames. The reference to multiple fires indicates that this does not refer solely to a single divine flame descending from heaven, but rather to the various fires the priests arrange and kindle for God [מזרחי, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, ברכת אשר]. Practically, the fats of the sin offering are placed on the wood arrangement alongside the daily burnt offering and other sacrifices. This placement demonstrates that the parts of the sin offering are just as desired and acceptable as any other offering [שד״ל, ביאור יש״ר, רד״צ הופמן]. Highlighting this detail specifically during the sacrifice of an ordinary person carries a profound message. It shows that the honor of having one's offering placed alongside the daily sacrifice is not a privilege reserved only for the High Priest, the community, or a national leader, but is granted to any individual seeking forgiveness [שד״ל].

The process concludes with a promise of pardon, yet it requires precise focus. The priest must perform the service with the explicit intention that it is for a sin offering [אדרת אליהו]. Additionally, the concept of the priest making atonement is emphasized three times throughout the laws of these regular sin offerings, establishing an important practical rule. While an inner sin offering requires every single blood application on the altar to be valid, an outer sin offering is more lenient. If the priest accidentally misses some of the blood applications but successfully performs at least one, the sacrifice remains valid, and the individual is fully forgiven [מלבי״ם, רד״צ הופמן].