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

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, 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 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, RambanVayikra 1:9Derashat Torat Hashem Temimah (pp. 163-167)About R. Moshe b. Nachman

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

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 2:13Yesodei HaTorah 47-49About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto

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.

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.  Shadal says the sacrifices even started with the people's desire to give something to Hashem, as they didn't want to feel inferior to the other nations who served their gods through sacrifices.  Therefore Hashem permit it, so the people will feel their God is big and important as well.  Rasag says there were only sacrifices of עולות before Matan Torah.