Purpose of the Sacrifices/2

Purpose of the Sacrifices

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Atonement for Sins

Sources:Ibn EzraVayikra 1:1Vayikra 1:4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 30:1Vayikra 1:4Vayikra 2:13Vayikra 17:7About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RambanShemot 5:3Vayikra 1:9Derashat Torat Hashem Temimah (pp. 163-167)About R. Moshe b. Nachman, Sefer HaChinnukhSefer HaChinnukh Mitzvah 95, SefornoMaamar Kavvanot HaTorah 8-9About R. Ovadyah Seforno

Understanding sacrifices – why specifically sacrifices?

• R. Yosef Bekhor Shor understands the sacrifices as an opportunity to restart.  People need a way of knowing that they were forgiven otherwise they will just continue sinning forever, and this need is fulfilled through bringing a sacrifice.  However, it is unclear why this had to be accomplished specifically in bringing sacrifices.
• A few other commentators say the sacrifices are a substitute for punishing one's own body.  An animal is the most similar being to a human, and by slaughtering it, the person watches what should have happened to himself.

Purpose of the Mishkan – Most of these commentators assert the purpose of the Mishkan as a whole was to be a place for the Divine presence.

Sacrifices before the Mishkan – Seemingly, this approach will render that the bringing of sacrifices before Hashem commanded on them, were brought from people's own will for various purposes.

"אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לַי"י"

Details:

• Sacrificing only from cattle –
• Prohibition of blood and chelev –
• "עַל כׇּל קׇרְבָּנְךָ תַּקְרִיב מֶלַח" –
• Prohibition of honey –

Attitude of the Neviim towards sacrifices

Types of sacrifices – For this approach the objective of the קרבן חטאת and אשם is very clear, though less so for the other types of sacrifices.  The Tanchuma seems to be bothered by this issue and explains the עולה is brought over thoughts of the heart and שלמים on positive commandments.¹

"וְנִרְצָה לוֹ לְכַפֵּר עָלָיו" – These words support this understanding, that even an עולה is brought for purposes of atonement.

Anti-Idolatry

There was no innate purpose in bringing sacrifices, rather it was just so the nation will not worship idolatry.

Sources:Justin Martyr, Dialogue with TryphoDialogue with Trypho 19:6Dialogue with Trypho 22:1,11, Vayikra Rabbah22:8About Vayikra Rabbah, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorVayikra 17:7About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Rambam Moreh Nevukhim3 323 46About Rambam Moreh Nevukhim

Understanding sacrifices – Sacrifices were certainly not the ideal way of worship.  It was just the first step, so that instead of bringing sacrifices to idolatry they will bring to Hashem.

Purpose of the Mishkan – According to the Rambam, the Mishkan was not the preferred way of worshiping Hashem, and was only built so the people can direct away their tendencies to worship idolatry.

Sacrifices before the Mishkan – The existence of sacrifices before the Mishkan constitutes a difficulty for this approach.

"אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לַי"י"

Details:

• Sacrificing only from cattle –
• Prohibition of blood and chelev –
• "עַל כׇּל קׇרְבָּנְךָ תַּקְרִיב מֶלַח" –
• Prohibition of honey –

"וְלֹא יִזְבְּחוּ עוֹד אֶת זִבְחֵיהֶם לַשְּׂעִירִם" – These verses support this read, that the nation will sacrifice to Hashem so they won't feel that need to give sacrifices to the "שְּׂעִירִם".

Korban Pesach – See the Rambam's approach in Purpose of the Pesach, that it was commanded to cleanse the Israelites and as a demonstrative act against idolatry, and specifically the Egyptian god.

Inviting the Divine Presence

According to this approach, the sacrifices were intended to either prepare every individual to receive the Divine presence, or to continue the inspiration from the revelation at Mt. Sinai.

Sources:Kuzari2:25-26About R. Yehuda HaLevi, RambanShemot 5:3Vayikra 1:9Derashat Torat Hashem Temimah (pp. 163-167)About R. Moshe b. Nachman

Understanding sacrifices – This approach views the sacrifices as a side part of the Mishkan; the Aron and Luchot being the main focus.  R. Yehuda HaLevi says each person needs spiritual nourishment in order to connect to Hashem, while Ramban explains it invites the inspiration on a national level.

Purpose of the Mishkan – R. Yehuda HaLevi emphasizes that the construction of the Mishkan was a concession to the need of the nation for a tangible object to which they could direct their service to Hashem, as a result of the influence of the surrounding nations.  In contrast, Ramban says it was always the ideal to continue the presence of Hashem amidst the nation from the revelation at Sinai.

Sacrifices before the Mishkan

"אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ לַי"י"

Details:

• Sacrificing only from cattle – 
• Prohibition of blood and chelev – 
• "עַל כׇּל קׇרְבָּנְךָ תַּקְרִיב מֶלַח" – 
• Prohibition of honey –

Term קרבן – קרבן does not mean to sacrifice, rather it comes from the language of close, to get close to Hashem.

Types of sacrifices – Ramban explains the purpose of עולות and שלמים is to be a reproduction of the sacrifices brought in Shemot 24 after the revelation at Mt. Sinai, and חטאות and אשמים are to purify the Mishkan and allow it to be a place for the Divine presence when all the people have been forgiven over their sins.  R. Yehuda HaLevi focuses on the קרבנות הציבור.

Why specifically sacrifices? One can suggest that this is following the parallel between the Mishkan and a king's palace, and therefore the sacrifices are parallel to food served to the king.

Gratitude and Honor

Through bringing sacrifices we show our gratitude to Hashem who owns all of our possessions, and we are honoring him in front of the whole nation.

Sources:R. Saadia GaonCommentary Shemot 18:8HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3About R. Saadia Gaon, ShadalShemot 23:15Vayikra 1:2Vayikra 1:4Vayikra 2:13Yirmeyahu 7:22About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto

Understanding sacrifices – an ideal? R. Saadia says there was a fundamental purpose in bringing sacrifices.  However, Shadal raises the idea that Hashem instituted sacrifices to give in to the need of the people.  Only through bringing tribute would they internalize His majesty and not feel inferior to other nations who served their gods through sacrifices, even though one can equally show one's thanks to Hashem by prayer and singing..

Purpose of the Mishkan – Shadal says the Mishkan was to be a national center where the whole nation comes together around one goal of honoring Hashem.  They were prohibited on sacrificing on high alters rather on one alter in the Mishkan, so all of Israel join together and feel responsible for one another to help when they can.  He emphasizes the need for a luxurious house with servants to amplify the fear of the nation from Hashem.

Sacrifices before the Mishkan – The sacrifices brought to Hashem before the Mishkan was built, served the same purpose of the people, to show their gratitude to Hashem.  R. Saadia says there were only sacrifices of עולות before Matan Torah.

Types of sacrifices – Shadal differentiates between Olot and Shelamim, Olot being brought to increase Hashem's honor, and Shelamim to enhance the love and friendship between the people.  He notes that also the sacrifices brought by individuals were so each person remembers that everything is from Hashem, whether it be forgiveness and help.

Why specifically sacrifices? Shadal notes that

¹ Ibn Ezra follows and explains עולה to be coming on sins which are not known to the sinner that he committed.