An animal whose time has not yet arrived — whether due to its own status or its owner's. Which is premature due to its owner? A zav, zavah, woman after childbirth, or metzora, who offered their sin or guilt offerings outside — exempt. But their burnt offerings or peace offerings outside — liable.
One who offers outside: meat of sin offerings, guilt offerings, most-holy offerings, lesser-holy offerings; surplus of the Omer, the two loaves, shewbread, minhah remnants; one who pours, mixes, breaks apart, salts, waves, presents, arranges the Table, tends the lamps, removes a handful, or collects blood outside — exempt.
And one is not liable for these due to: non-priestly status, ritual impurity, lack of priestly vestments, or unwashed hands and feet.
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The complete logical chain — from chametz to no liability
1
The Shtei HaLechem comes as chametz (Menachos 5:1)
↓
2
Chametz cannot go on the Mizbeach — so the Shtei HaLechem has no Mizbeach portion (Menachos 6:2)
↓
3
If placed on the Mizbeach, must come down — no legitimate claim to be there (Zevachim 9:5)
↓
4
If offered outside the Temple — exempt from liability. All Temple-service restrictions (non-Kohein, impurity, vestments) apply only to Mizbeach-bound service. Since the Shtei HaLechem never goes on the Mizbeach, none apply.
No liability — and why
Four Temple-service restrictions that do not apply to the Shtei HaLechem
זָרוּת
Non-priestly status — only Kohanim may perform Mizbeach service. The Shtei HaLechem does not involve Mizbeach service, so this restriction does not apply.
טֻמְאָה
Ritual impurity — a tamei Kohein may not perform the service. But the Shtei HaLechem's "service" is eating, not burning on the altar. The impurity rules of Mizbeach service do not apply.
מְחֻסַּר בְּגָדִים
Lacking priestly vestments — required for Mizbeach-bound service. Not applicable to a Korban with no Mizbeach component.
רְחוּץ יָדַיִם וְרַגְלָיִם
Unwashed hands and feet — required before performing any Mizbeach service. Same logic: inapplicable when there is no Mizbeach service.
Position in the Omer to Shavuos arc — 43 mishnayos
Preceding · Mishnah 26
Zevachim 9:5
If placed on Mizbeach — must come down
Current · Mishnah 27
Zevachim 14:3 — No Outside Liability
Movement III·A closes
The chain from chametz is now complete. Four mishnayos derived four consequences from one ruling: the Shtei HaLechem is chametz → no Mizbeach share → must come down → no outside liability → no priestly restrictions. Movement III·A has established the Shtei HaLechem's complete legal identity. From M28 onward: its form, measurements, baking, distribution, and the miracle that protected it.
Following · Mishnah 28
Menachos 6:6
Quantities — how much grain for each of the three bread-Korbanos