Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the portion of the Nazir’s sacrifice that is given to the Kohen (the front leg). Halachically this is a unique process not performed in other sacrifices, in allowing lechatchila (ab initio) the mixing and nullification of a forbidden (sacred sacrificial portion, like Terumah) substance to cook with a permitted substance (portion of the animal that the Nazir will eat), as noted by our Gemara on Amud Beis. This is for some Tanaim the source that nullification of 1 to 60 works, since the volume of a standard ram’s front arm is 1 to 60 of its total.

Sifsei Kohen Al HaTorah (Bamidbar 6:19) offers a mystical explanation. The front leg in Hebrew is the same word used for a human arm, zeroa, which implies might and strength, usually in reference to attacking somebody else. In addition, it is the right side of the animal that is selected, which connotes the good inclination, while the left side generally refers to the evil inclination. The implication is that by returning to a less elevated state, the Nazir is in danger of being accused and attacked by the Middas Hadin (the arm); however, in selecting the right arm the Kohen is supporting his process of returning to normal life and his good inclination will prevail.

This is similar to the Ramban’s explanation of the sin offering brought by the Nazir who became tamey by a corpse. The verse states (Bamidbar 6:11) “and he will atone for his sin of the soul.” Ramban says this is the “sin” of allowing himself to return to a lower spiritual state.

Tzor Hamor (ibid 6:19) offers an optimistic hybrid of both peshatim: The significance of the right arm being cooked first and nullifying in a volume of one to sixty is a lesson that some pleasures in life should be permitted in moderation and proportion. One may, and even should, indulge, but only one in sixty parts of life.