K’vyachol
Many times in the course of divrei Torah and conversation, the Hebrew word “k’vyachol” is used. I conducted an unscientific study and concluded that people generally understand the word to convey that the statement referenced is merely allegorical. When people ascribe human attributes to Hashem, they add in the word “k’vyachol.” However, those that learn the daf came across the word this week, and Rashi offers two precise explanations that differ from the simple definition of allegorical.
There is an argument (Yoma 3b) regarding how we are to understand the pesukim in the Torah when Moshe is told by Hashem “kach lecha.” Rebbe Yoshiya understands the directive to mean that Moshe Rabbeinu should use his own funds to purchase whatever items were mentioned in the pasuk. Therefore, when Moshe Rabbeinu was told to take the spices that are used for the ketores, he was to purchase them from his own funds. The Rashash explains that generally the spices are purchased from communal funds, but the ketores used during the inauguration of the Mishkan was paid for by Moshe Rabbeinu.
Rebbe Yonason disagrees and says that even the spices used for the ketores during the Mishkan’s inauguration had to be purchased with communal funds. The use of the phrase “kach lecha” was meant to convey a message. “K’vayachol, I want yours more than theirs.” Rashi’s first explanation of the word “k’vyachol” is that the word means “if it were possible.” Hashem told Moshe “If it were possible for the funds for the ketores to come from an individual, I would prefer that they come from you instead of from Klal Yisrael.” However, it is not possible since the funds for the ketores have to come from communal sources. It is interesting to note that according to this understanding, the word “k’vyachol” was said by Hashem. According to Rashi’s first pshat, the word “k’vyachol” means if it were possible and may have many possible usages.