389. "When a ruler has sinned, and done something through ignorance...and has incurred guilt" (Vayikra 4:22). Rabbi Yitzchak taught why it is always written "If," such as, "if the priest that is anointed do sin" (Ibid. 3), or "And if the whole Congregation of Yisrael sin through ignorance" (Ibid. 13). Yet here IT IS WRITTEN, "When a ruler has sinned" instead of, 'If the ruler will sin.' What does this teach us?

390. HE ANSWERS, Priests are not very sinful, as a priest always guards himself because his Master's burden is on him daily, the burden of the whole of Yisrael and the burden of each of them. It is a great wonder if he sins. It is therefore written, "If" and also "And if the whole Congregation of Yisrael sin through ignorance." It is a wonder if they are all found committing the same sin, for if some sin, others do not. It is therefore written, "And if." But here, "When a ruler has sinned," surely HE HAS SINNED, for his heart is swelled with pride because all the people follow him and are under his charge. Hence, it says, "When a ruler has sinned," namely in transgressing a negative precept and sinning against one of them. It therefore does not say of him 'and if,' because this matter OF HIS SINNING is not in doubt.

391. Rabbi Yehuda opened the discussion with the verse: "And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the efod, and for the breastplate" (Shemot 35:27). HE ASKS, What is the difference here? Why were these brought by the rulers and not by other men? Indeed it is written, "Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of Hashem" (Ibid. 5) and "and onyx stones, and stones to be set for the efod and for the breastplate" (Ibid. 9). EVERY MAN IS COMMANDED CONCERNING THIS.

392. HE REPLIES, The Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'Though this donation is open for everyone, let these stones be brought by the rulers.' What is the reason for this? THE STONES are placed on the priest's heart, so the Holy One, blessed be He, said, 'Let the rulers, whose heart is proud, come and bring these stones that are on the priest's heart, and their heart's pride will be atoned for.' It is also written, "And they shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before Hashem" (Shemot 28:30). This is why the rulers brought the onyx stones, to atone for themselves.

393. Therefore, it is surely written, "When a ruler has sinned, and done something through ignorance against any one of the commandments of Hashem his Elohim concerning things which should not be done" (Vayikra 4:22). We explained that he did this by transgressing one of the negative precepts. "If his sin, wherein he has sinned, come to his knowledge" (Ibid. 23): It is only because his heart has swelled with pride that he did not care about his sins. Only later was it made known to him, and he did penance.