The Kohen's minhah, the anointed Kohein's minhah, and libation minhaos go entirely to the altar — the Kohanim receive nothing from them. In this, the power of the altar is greater than the power of the Kohanim. The two loaves and the Lechem HaPanim go entirely to the Kohanim — the altar receives nothing from them. In this, the power of the Kohanim is greater than the power of the altar.
Fuchsia — Altar's power
Green — Kohanim's power
Amber — Currently being read
Listen with Rabbi Diamond · 2:530:00 / 2:53
0:00
2:53
Speed
Click any Hebrew phrase above to jump to where Rabbi Diamond reads it
שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם — eaten entirely by Kohanim לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים — eaten entirely by Kohanim
The logical chain from chametz (M24) to this mishnah
1
The Shtei HaLechem comes as chametz (Menachos 5:1)
2
Chametz cannot go on the Mizbeach — the Torah explicitly prohibits burning chametz as a fire-offering (Vayikra 2:11)
3
Therefore the Shtei HaLechem has no Mizbeach share at all — it goes entirely to the Kohanim
4
In this, the Kohanim's power exceeds the altar's power — an unusual reversal of the normal hierarchy
Position in the Omer to Shavuos arc — 43 mishnayos
Preceding · Mishnah 24
Menachos 5:1
The Shtei HaLechem comes as chametz — the only communal Korban to do so
Current · Mishnah 25
Menachos 6:2 — No Mizbeach Share
Movement III·A
The first consequence of chametz: because the Shtei HaLechem is chametz, it cannot go on the Mizbeach. This mishnah articulates the principle elegantly — the power balance between the altar and the Kohanim. The Shtei HaLechem and Lechem HaPanim are on the Kohanim's side entirely.
Following · Mishnah 26
Zevachim 9:5
Second consequence: if placed on the Mizbeach, must come down