משנה מסכת מנחות פרק יג משנה יא
נאמר בעולת הבהמה אשה ריח ניחוח ובעולת העוף אשה ריח ניחוח ובמנחה אשה ריח ניחוח ללמד שאחד המרבה ואחד הממעיט ובלבד שיכוין אדם את דעתו לשמים:
It says, “an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Eternal” regarding a cattle offering (Leviticus 1:9), a fowl offering (Lev. 1:17), and a flour offering (Lev 2:2), to teach that one who does more and one who does less are equivalent, so long as a person focuses his/her intent to heaven. [Translation by Aaron Levy]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why does focusing our intent to heaven mitigate the difference in value of our sacrifices to God?
2. What does this text tell us about people who do good things for the wrong reasons?
3. Do you get credit for a good deed if you thought to do it but did not actually perform the mitzvah? Why?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)