במדבר, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ו׳

The sacrificial system demands absolute precision. Beyond the exact measurements of flour and oil, God requires precise record-keeping regarding the age of the animal down to the very hour [ברכת אשר]. A ram, defined as an adult sheep in its second year of life [ביאור שטיינזלץ], requires a larger meal offering and greater liquid libations than a younger lamb. Because of this difference in volume, a new condition is introduced to establish that while the obligation to bring libations remains constant, the amounts must reflect the larger animal [רש״י, שפתי חכמים, ביאור יש״ר, גור אריה]. Furthermore, the specific phrasing points to a well-known ram, teaching that even individual sacrifices brought at a fixed, mandatory time, such as the high priest Aaron's ram on the Day of Atonement, require these accompanying libations [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם].

The precise age categories also account for a unique transitional phase in the animal's life. During its thirteenth month, a sheep is considered neither a lamb nor a ram, but rather a distinct creature known as a palges. This term is understood either as a Greek borrowing meaning a youth or undefined creature, or as a Hebrew abbreviation for being half grown [תורה תמימה, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, מזרחי]. Because of its undefined status, this transitional animal cannot be used to fulfill a specific obligation for either a lamb or a ram. However, if a person chooses to bring it as a voluntary gift, it is fully accepted, and God requires it to be accompanied by the larger libations of an adult ram [תורה תמימה, מזרחי, משכיל לדוד, העמק דבר].

The preparation of these offerings is also carefully regulated. While the actual offering on the altar is reserved for the priest, the preliminary steps of making the mixture can be done by the owner. A person has the choice to either prepare the meal offering at home or purchase a ready-made mixture from the Temple treasury [העמק דבר]. When mixing the ingredients personally, the individual must have clear intent, dedicating the preparation specifically for the sake of the meal offering [העמק דבר].

Finally, the exact measurement of oil, one-third of a hin, is explicitly stated because it cannot be assumed from the other ingredients. One might think the oil should scale with the flour, but in other sacrifices, the flour amount doubles while the oil does not. Similarly, the oil cannot be deduced from the wine, as the oil is mixed into the flour while the wine is poured separately. Therefore, the exact measure of oil is detailed to clarify that it must entirely equal the measure of wine [מלבי״ם, צפנת פענח].