Mishnayos Horayos Perek 3 Mishnah 3
Change text layout:
הוריות פרק ג׳ משנה ג׳
If a king or High Priest sinned before they were appointed, and thereafter they were appointed, the status of these people is like that of commoners; they bring the sin-offering of an individual. Rabbi Shimon says: If it became known to them, before they were appointed as king or High Priest, that they had sinned, they are liable to bring the sin-offering of an individual, but if it became known to them after they were appointed as king or High Priest they are completely exempt. Who is the nasi? This is a king, as it is stated: “When a nasi sins, and performs any one of all the mitzvot of the Lord his God that shall not be performed, unwittingly, and he is guilty” (Leviticus 4:22), referring to one who has only the Lord his God over him and no other authority. That is only the king.
חָטְאוּ עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִתְמַנּוּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ נִתְמַנּוּ, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ כְהֶדְיוֹט. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר, אִם נוֹדַע לָהֶם עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִתְמַנּוּ, חַיָּבִין. וּמִשֶּׁנִּתְמַנּוּ, פְּטוּרִין. וְאֵיזֶהוּ הַנָּשִׂיא, זֶה הַמֶּלֶךְ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא ד) וְעָשָׂה אַחַת מִכָּל מִצְוֹת ה' אֱלֹהָיו, נָשִׂיא שֶׁאֵין עַל גַּבָּיו אֶלָּא ה' אֱלֹהָיו:
Bartenura
הרי אלו כהדיוט. שנאמר בנשיא (שם) אשר נשיא יחטא, שחטא כשהוא נשיא. וכן בכהן המשיח נאמר (שם) ואם הכהן המשיח יחטא, שחטא כשהוא משיח:
הרי אלו כהדיוט – as it states concerning the ruler (Leviticus 4:22): “In case it is a chieftain who incurs guilt [by doing unwittingly any of the things which by the commandment of the LORD his God ought not to be done, and he realizes his guilt],” that he sinned while he was the ruler. And similarly, regarding the anointed priest, it is stated there (Leviticus 4:3): “If it is the anointed priest who has incurred guilt, [so that blame falls upon the people…,” that he sinned while he was the anointed priest.