THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
After the shaving of the individual who approached the very entrance of the sacred tabernacle, and following the destruction of the hair by fire, it is stated that “the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall place them in the hands of the Nazarite;” and further taking it, “and shall bring it up,” as it is written, “and the priest shall elevate it,” noted as “shaking it before the Lord: this holy offering is for the priest,” along with the breast of “participation” (Num. 6:19-20). What does this signify under the law? The divinely inspired Scripture represents the muscle as a symbol of strength or of deeds accomplished through strength, while unleavened bread symbolizes a holy and pure existence.
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Unleavened bread, anointed with oil and made into cakes, evokes the image of delight and joy. The face of the mediating priest can aptly be seen as Immanuel. Thus, the one who achieves the utmost holiness and presents to the pure God a magnificent offering of spiritual strength, embodied through the shoulder of the ram, along with the image of pure living depicted through unleavened bread, as well as the joy and satisfaction of life in holiness represented by unleavened bread, by offering all these to God through Christ, who in a manner of speaking, receives these offerings hand to hand, grants the sincerest worshipper the highest acclaim, especially for these acts. Therefore, it is declared that one who fulfills such a sacred and pristine vow, having placed upon their own hands, transfers the offering and the designated portion to the priest, such as the breast of the ram, in accordance with the intention of the lawmaker.
Similarly, just as muscle signifies works arising from strength, the breast of the ram denotes feelings and intellect; for it is within the heart and chest where emotions reside, and Sacred Scripture often expresses this interchangeably, at times associating the head with the intellect, other times indicating the chest as the seat of emotions. Hence, the holy and chosen ones, as if transferring from hand to hand, and for the sake of Christ, bring forth their spiritual strength and sentiments acceptable to God the Father. The truth is, the saints could only accomplish what is pleasing to God through spiritual strength and righteous feelings. The law has indeed commanded that the boiled shoulder be taken to eliminate from the saints any roughness or elements inconsistent with decency. Those dedicated to God should cultivate gentleness and temperance, striving to perform virtuous actions quietly and skillfully. Only in this manner, and not otherwise, will the deeds of the saints be delightful to God—if they are devoid of anything harsh or displeasing. You know well that the salvation of the pure is what Christ regards as His sustenance, declaring to the holy disciples, “I have food which you do not know” (John 4:32). Furthermore, recall that when God commanded the lamb to be sacrificed as a representation of Christ, He added the instruction: “You shall not eat of it raw or boiled in water, but you shall eat it roasted with fire” (Exodus 12:9), which I believe denotes the unacceptable nature of what is tough (raw). Thus, it is stated that “the boiled shoulder of the ram” must be designated, indicating that what is unboiled is distasteful, inedible, and thereby not acceptable.