And this is the law of the peace offering which one will bring to the Lord. The phrase which one will bring to the Lord is not stated regarding all offerings, only regarding the peace offerings, which are accepted without sin, because they are closer to the Lord than all the offerings that come for sin. For this reason, it is written subsequently (7:29–30): He who brings his peace offering to the Lord shall bring his offering to the Lord. His hands shall bring the fire offerings of the Lord. In all of these, [the Torah] mentions to the Lord, for in these I desire, says the Lord. And look to the right and see that it does not mention for any offering that the owner should bring the portion for the Almighty with his own hands, except for peace offerings — his hands shall bring it. This is because anyone who has incurred the king’s anger and wants to appease and wipe away his wrath sends the offering ahead of him through a messenger, as Jacob said: I will appease his face with the gift that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face (Genesis 32:20). But one who brings the king a gift as a tribute and honor brings the offering with his own hands and not through a messenger. This is the difference between sin offerings and guilt offerings, which come for sins of action, and the burnt offering, which comes for sinful thoughts, versus the peace offerings. For those offerings that come to remove God’s anger, it is not appropriate that his hands shall bring them, as it would appear as impudence toward Heaven; therefore, he sends them through the priests. But the peace offerings, which are a gift and tribute, his hands shall bring them.

And there are those who explain the verse: He who offers his peace-offering to the Lord shall bring his offering to the Lord from his peace-offering. [This means] that it is appropriate that they should bless him and say, “May it be Your will that all the offerings he brings to the Lord should be from his peace-offerings, not sin-offerings, guilt-offerings, and burnt-offerings.” But regarding the burnt-offering, it says, This is the law of the burnt-offering; it is the burnt-offering, meaning he should bring it alone and not repeat his folly by bringing another burnt-offering for the sin of impure thoughts, but rather [he should bring] peace-offerings when there is peace between him and his Creator.

And by way of allusion, it is possible to explain the five times this is the law that are stated in this portion, corresponding to the five books of the Torah. One who engages in them [in Torah study] is considered as if they have offered these five types of sacrifices: the burnt offering, the meal offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, and the peace offering. However, the inauguration offerings were only for that time and not for future generations. And in this way, we find five instances of this is the law in the portion about the leper, because there too our Sages said (Arachin 15b): “What is the remedy for one who speaks lashon hara? If they are a Torah scholar, they should engage in Torah study, etc.” If so, the Torah protects from lashon hara which causes these five types of leprosy, and one who engages in the five books of the Torah is saved from them, as explained in the Akedah [a commentary by Rabbi Isaac Arama] that in each book [of the Torah] the punishment for the sin of the tongue is mentioned. Similarly with these sacrifices, one who engages in these five books is considered as if they have offered these five types of sacrifices.

For one who engages in the book of Genesis, it is as if he offered a burnt offering. This is the law of the burnt offering, because in it is explained the law of the burnt offering, as Abel offered a burnt offering from the firstborn of his flock (Genesis 4:4). Similarly, regarding Noah it is written, he offered burnt offerings on the altar (Genesis 8:20). And likewise with Abraham, He took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son (Genesis 22:13). And also with Jacob, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac (Genesis 46:1).

And one who engages with the book of Exodus, it is as if he offered a meal offering. Because all meal offerings come as unleavened bread, and in this book are explained all the laws of matzah, its instruction, and its combination with the Passover sacrifice that is eaten with matzah. And it is written: You shall not slaughter My sacrificial blood with leaven (Exodus 34:25).

And one who engages in the book of Leviticus, it is as if he offered a sin offering. Although all the sacrifices are explained in this book, nevertheless, the main focus of the book is the law of the sin offering. Because after the Israelites sinned with the Golden Calf, which was the beginning of all sin and iniquity, God provided a way for sinners to achieve atonement through sacrifice. And along with this, all the sacrifices are mentioned, all of which contain an aspect of sin, except for the peace offerings.

And one who engages with the book of Numbers, it is as if he offered a guilt offering. For in it is stated the entire law of the guilt offering in the portion of Naso (Numbers 5:6): A man or woman who commits any of the sins against man, betraying the Lord, and that person shall become guilty, etc. And even though the law of the guilt offering was already stated in the portion of Vayikra (Leviticus 5:14), nevertheless it is repeated there [in Numbers] to introduce something new, as Rashi explains there. Thus, through studying that portion along with the new element introduced in it, one completes the entire law of the guilt offering.

And one who engages in the book of Deuteronomy, it is as if he offered peace offerings. Because in the portion of Ki Tavo (27:7) it says, And you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, etc. And similarly in the portion of Re’eh all the laws of peace offerings, which are of lesser sanctity, are stated, as it says (ibid. 12:27), And the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, and you shall eat the meat. And there the laws of peace offerings were completed due to several new matters that were introduced in them. Therefore it says, This is the law, these five times, for one who engages in each specific book receives great reward as if he offered that type of sacrifice which is explained in that book. And the wise will explain to many this precious concept, for it is clear and correct.