In the peace-offerings, the breast-bone and the right shoulder were allotted to the use of the priest, in order to prevent a certain kind of divination which is known as “spatulamantia,” so called because it was customary in divining to use the shoulder-blade (spatula), and the breast-bone of the animals offered in sacrifice; wherefore these things were taken away from the offerers.  This is also denoted the priest’s need of wisdom in the heart, to instruct the people—­this was signified by the breast-bone, which covers the heart; and his need of fortitude, in order to bear with human frailty—­and this was signified by the right shoulder.

Reply Obj. 9:  Because the holocaust was the most perfect kind of sacrifice, therefore none but a male was offered for a holocaust:  because the female is an imperfect animal.  The offering of turtledoves and doves was on account of the poverty of the offerers, who were unable to offer bigger animals.  And since peace-victims were offered freely, and no one was bound to offer them against his will, hence these birds were offered not among the peace-victims, but among the holocausts and victims for sin, which man was obliged to offer at times.  Moreover these birds, on account of their lofty flight, were befitting the perfection of the holocausts:  and were suitable for sin-offerings because their song is doleful.

Reply Obj. 10:  The holocaust was the chief of all the sacrifices:  because all was burnt in honor of God, and nothing of it was eaten.  The second place in holiness, belongs to the sacrifice for sins, which was eaten in the court only, and on the very day of the sacrifice (Lev. 7:6, 15).  The third place must be given to the peace-offerings of thanksgiving, which were eaten on the same day, but anywhere in Jerusalem.  Fourth in order were the “ex-voto” peace-offerings, the flesh of which could be eaten even on the morrow.  The reason for this order is that man is bound to God, chiefly on account of His majesty; secondly, on account of the sins he has committed; thirdly, because of the benefits he has already received from Him; fourthly, by reason of the benefits he hopes to receive from Him.

Reply Obj. 11:  Sins are more grievous by reason of the state of the sinner, as stated above (Q. 73, A. 10):  wherefore different victims are commanded to be offered for the sin of a priest, or of a prince, or of some other private individual.  “But,” as Rabbi Moses says (Doct.  Perplex. iii), “we must take note that the more grievous the sin, the lower the species of animals offered for it.  Wherefore the goat, which is a very base animal, was offered for idolatry; while a calf was offered for a priest’s ignorance, and a ram for the negligence of a prince.”

Reply Obj. 12:  In the matter of sacrifices the Law had in view the poverty of the offerers; so that those who could not have a four-footed animal at their disposal, might at least offer a bird; and that he who could not have a bird might at least offer bread; and that if a man had not even bread he might offer flour or ears of corn.