Nazirite novelties[1]
וזאת תורת הנזיר ביום מלאת ימי נזרו יביא אתו אל-פתח אהל מועד
This is the law of the Nazir on the day that he completes his Nazirite vow. He shall bring him to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting[2]
A Nazir is someone who takes a vow to refrain from consuming grape products, coming in contact with the dead, and from cutting their hair. Upon completion of their vow, which can be for as short or as long as they want, they bring offerings to the Temple and resume a normal life. The Torah describes the Nazir as יביא אותו, “he will bring him” to the Temple. Who is bringing whom? Rashi tells us[3] that in fact, the Nazir is to bring himself. This is one of the three times in the Torah that אותו is interpreted to mean oneself[4]. If that’s the intent, why did the Torah write it this way[5]? Why not just write that the Nazir will go to the Temple?