Leviticus 2: You're a Handful!

“The priest shall scoop out of it a handful (kometz) of its choice flour and oil, as well as all of its frankincense” (verse 2).וְהֵרִים מִמֶּנּוּ בְּקֻמְצוֹ מִסֹּלֶתָהּ וּמִשַּׁמְנָהּ עַל כָּל־לְבֹנָתָהּ וְהִקְטִיר הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־אַזְכָּרָתָהּ הַמִּזְבֵּחָה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַה׳׃What is a kometz? The Gemara in Yoma 47b explains that the word means handfuls. If the word was only "handfuls," then the measurement could have been an overflowing fistful. Therefore, later in chapter 6 verse 8, the word is repeated in the singular. But the plural is needed in our verse so that one does not think the amount is a small pinch. Ultimately, the Gemara explains that the Kohen would take a fistful of incense and then hold it in his three middle fingers. He then would move his thumb and pinky across the top and bottom of the three fingers to scrape off any excess incense. The Gemara adds that this was one of the most difficult rites in the Temple service.The only other time the word kometz appears not in the context of the Mishkan service is in Genesis 41:47 concerning the seven years of plenty foretold by Joseph:“During the seven years of plenty, the land produced in abundance.” (Genesis 41:47)וַתַּעַשׂ הָאָרֶץ בְּשֶׁבַע שְׁנֵי הַשָּׂבָע לִקְמָצִים׃The use there is connected to grain, but also is a sign of a large amount. Perhaps the word is employed in the Mishkan service as a reminder of the fact that God has the power to provide an abundant amount of grains.