What is "Kach l'cha Samim" referring to?
Rashi and Rashbam: It refers to "Nataf u'Shecheiles ve'Chelb'nah" 1 that follow.
Seforno: It refers to Mor, Kaneh, Kinmom and Kidah. Refer to 30:34:5:3.
Plus Levonah Zakah, which is not a Sam (Rashbam).
What are the implications of "Kach L'cha Samim"?
Yoma, 3b #1 (citing R. Yashiyah): It implies that Moshe should personally provide the prescribed ingredients for the Ketores. 1
Yoma, 3b #2 (citing R. Yonasan): Really, the Tzibur should donate the ingredients, only Hashem prefers those donated by Moshe.
See Torah Temimah, note 66.
What is the difference between "Samim" in the current Pasuk and "Besamim" (in Pasuk 23)?
Refer to 25:6:1:1-3.
Why does the Pasuk refer to 'Tzari' (balsam) as "Nataf" (which means 'drips')?
Rashi and Ramban #1 (citing Kerisus, 6a): Because it is the sap that drips from the wood of the balsam-tree (Atzei ha'Kataf), which is also called 'T'ri'akla'. 1
Ramban #2 (citing the Rambam): Because they used the wood of the Kataf itself 2 and not the sap. 3
Rashi. See Ramban, who vehemently refutes this translation. He also presents another reason as to why the Torah calls it "Nataf" (See DH 'Aval ha'Tzari'). The Ramban also cites Targum Onkelos (and Targum Yonasan according to our text. See Ramban, Ibid.) who translates "Tzari" (in Bereishis 37:25) as 'Kataf', implying that, according to them, both the tree and its fruit are called 'Tzari'.
See Ramban, DH 've'Ra'isi'.
In spite of the expression "Nataf".
Why does Onkelos translate "Shecheiles (onycha) as 'Tufra' (finger-nail)?
Rashi: Because it is smooth and shiny like a finger-nail. 1
Which also explains why the Mishnah in Kerisus refers to it as 'Tziporen'.
Why does the Torah include the foul-smelling Chelb'nah (galbanum) in the middle of the spices of the Ketores?
Rashi: To teach us that we should not hesitate to include sinners (who have done Teshuvah) 1 in our groups of those that fast and Daven.
Michtav me'Eliyahu (5, p. 416): Because, although Chelb'nah does not have a nice smell, it is potent (Radvaz) 2 symbolizing Deveikus - because one needs a strong desire to overcome and nullify all other desires. Even if at the time one does not feel the sweetness, combined with all the other ingredients, the uneasiness beomes Bateil, and the wondrous scent is strengthened even more.
Why does the Torah repeat the word "Samim"?
Rashi: It means other (unspecified) 1 Samim.
Rashbam: Refer to 30:34:5:2.
Seforno: Refer to 30:34:5:3.
What are the connotations of "Levonah Zakah"?
Seforno: It means 'Levonah' that does not need Tikun (improvement).
Targum Onkelos: It means 'pure frankincense'.
How many ingredients comprise the Ketores?
Rashi and Ramban #1 (citing Kerisus, 6b): "Samim" = two; plus Nataf, Shecheiles and Chelb'nah = five; Samim - another five 1 = ten, plus Levonah Zakah (pure frankincense) = eleven. 2
Ramban #2 (citing Ibn Ezra) and Rashbam: "Samim" - Nataf, u'Shecheiles ve'Chelb'nah, and pure frankincense = four. 3 And the second "Samim" is merely a repetition of the first "Samim", as is the way of the Torah. 4
Seforno: "Samim" = the four listed above in connection with the Shemen ha'Mishchah (in Pesukim 24 & 25) 5 plus the four mentioned here = eight, plus "Samim" - Shiboles-Nerd Karkom and Kosht 6 = eleven.
See Torah Temimah, note 67, who explains why the second "Samim" is different than the first one.
The Gemara in Kerisus lists the remaining seven as Mor (myrrh), Ketzi'ah (cassia) Shiboles-Nerd (spikenard) and Karkom (Saffron) Kosht (kostus) Kilufah (cinnamon) and Kin'mon (cinnamon bark). See also Ba'al ha'Turim on Pasuk 37.
Presumably, the Torah leaves the other seven up to the Chachamim to add as they see fit. Refer to 30:34:8:1.
As we find in Bereishis 9:17. See Ramban, who disagrees with that.
Mor, Kin'man-Besem (Kinamon), K'nei-Bosem (Kilufah) and Kidah (Ketzi'ah).
Which enhance the other ingredients (See Seforno).
Why do the Chachamim not include Boris Karshinah (vetch) as a twelfth ingredient?
Rashi: Because it was not burned together with the other spices, but was used to whiten the Shecheiles (to give it a nice appearance). 1
What does "Bad be'Vad" mean?
Rashi: It means that all four specified ingredients consisted of the same weight - seventy Manah. 1
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim #1: It means that each ingredient must be weighed [on the balance scale] against weights, and not against other ingredients that were already weighed against a weight.
Hadar Zekenim #2: It means that one may not put weights one inside the other to weigh against the ingredients. 2
Why does the Torah not name the other seven ingredients?
Ramban #1 (citing Midrash Chazis): The Torah is only particular about these four ingredients, which are crucial to create the required pillar of smoke. As for the remaining seven, it leaves it up to the Chachamim to add what druggists tend to add to create a pleasant aroma. 1
Ramban #2: It is possible that Hashem informed Moshe on Har Sinai which other ingredients to use - as well as how to prepare them. 2
Oznayim la'Torah: It is even more surprising considering that, above in Pesukim 23 & 24, the Torah does specify all the ingredients of the Shemen ha'Mishchah. The reason for this distinction lies in the fact that whereas the Shemen ha'Mishchah could not be produced without a miracle, 3 in which case there was no reason to withhold any details from the Torah, the Ketores did not involve miracles in its production and it was therefore prudent to withhold some of the ingredients and some of the weights and to convey them via Torah she'be'Al Peh, in order to prevent it from falling into the hands of people who would forge its production.
The reason that the Chachamim chose Nerd, Karkom and Kosht (Ohalos) is because the Pasuk mentions them in Shir ha'Shirim, 4:14 (Ramban), and they included Kaneh, Kinmon, Levonah and Mor because they comprised the ingredients of the Shemen ha'Mishchah - See Ramban DH 've'Nir'eh li', who elaborates.
Just as He taught him how to prepare the Shemen ha'Mishchah (Ramban).
According to R. Meir. Refer to 30:25:1:1**.
