Vayikra 4:13

13 And if the kol Adat Yisroel sin through ignorance (unintentionally), and the thing be hid from the eyes of the Kahal (Assembly), and they have done any one thing against any of the mitzvot of Hashem concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

Vayikra 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 4:13

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through
ignorance
That is, all Israel, or the greatest part of them, as Gersom interprets it, through the ignorant teaching of the judges, who by their instruction cause the people to err, and commit sins of ignorance, as Baal Hatturim on the place observes, and Maimonides elsewhere ^F7; wherefore Jarchi, and some others, by the congregation of Israel understand the sanhedrim, or the bench of judges, consisting of seventy one. Ainsworth remarks on the words, that the church may err:

and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly;
congregation or church, so that they do not know that it is a sin which they have committed:

and they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of
the Lord, [concerning things] which should not be done;
transgressed negative precepts:

and are guilty;
of sin, though as yet they know it not.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 Hilchot Shegagot, c. 12. sect. 1.

Vayikra 4:13 In-Context

11 And the hide of the young bull, and all his basar, with his head, and with his legs, and his innards, and his dung,

12 Even the rest of the young bull shall he carry forth outside the machaneh unto a makom tahor, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with eish; where the ashes are poured out shall he be burned.

13 And if the kol Adat Yisroel sin through ignorance (unintentionally), and the thing be hid from the eyes of the Kahal (Assembly), and they have done any one thing against any of the mitzvot of Hashem concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

14 When the chattat (sin), which they have sinned against it, is known, then the Kahal (Assembly) shall offer a young bull for the chattat (sin), and bring him before the Ohel Mo’ed.

15 And the Ziknei HaEdah shall lay their hands upon the head of the young bull before Hashem; and the young bull shall be slaughtered (shachat) before Hashem.