According to his e-mail,
I am a long time lurker on the thread (almost since the beginning) and have seen many "discussions" repeat themselves. I usually peak on breaks at work so I don't post. The current discussion about the sinless nature of Mary reminded me of something I read recently that I have never seen discussed on this issue...
So I assume my mystery correspondent is someone who is able to lurk, but not post.
Is it this "lurkers" position (or yours) that childbirth is a sin which requires atonement? OR is it simply a ritual cleansing?
Perhaps our lurker friend can e-mail me his reply, and I can post it. From the Jewish perspective, sin offerings are for "unintentional" sins (call it "venial" vs. "mortal" sin). As you note, the passage does include the element of ritual cleansing.
But there is no particular sin that is being expiated in this particular offering following a childbirth? No particular sin that a woman who gives birth must be "guilty" of, by definition?
SD