Purpose of the Sacrifices/2

Purpose of the Sacrifices

Exegetical Approaches

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Atonement Over Sins

Sources:Ibn EzraVayikra 1:1Vayikra 1:4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 30:1Vayikra 1:4Vayikra 2:13About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

Purpose of the Mishkan

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 –

Purpose of the Olah

Attitude of the Neviim towards sacrifices

Anti Idolatry

Sources:Justin Martyr, Dialogue with TryphoDialogue with Trypho 19:6Dialogue with Trypho 22:1,11, Vayikra Rabbah22:8About Vayikra Rabbah, Rambam Moreh Nevukhim3 323 46About Rambam Moreh Nevukhim

Purpose of the Mishkan

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 –

"וְלֹא יִזְבְּחוּ עוֹד אֶת זִבְחֵיהֶם לַשְּׂעִירִם" – These verses

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

Purpose of the Mishkan

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 –

Gratitude and Honor

Sources:R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3About R. Saadia Gaon, ShadalShemot 23:15Vayikra 1:2Vayikra 1:4Vayikra 2:13Yesodei HaTorah 47-49About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto