Difference between revisions of "Purpose of the Service of Vayikra 16/2"
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<div class="overview"> | <div class="overview"> | ||
<h2>Overview</h2> | <h2>Overview</h2> | ||
| − | <p>Commentators debate what was the main goal of the service described in Vayikra 16. R. Saadia Gaon puts the people at the center, suggesting that all aspects of the rite aimed to achieve atonement for Israel's sins.  It is possible that the ceremony was instituted in the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf when the gravity of the people's sins demonstrated a need for vehicles of atonement.  The Hoil Moshe, in contrast, views the rite as aimed at the Mikdash itself, understanding it to be a purification ceremony meant to cleanse the Mikdash of impurities. He connects the institution to the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, suggesting that their deaths contaminated the Mikdash, necessitating a cleansing rite. Shadal and R. D"Z Hoffmann | + | <p>Commentators debate what was the main goal of the service described in Vayikra 16. R. Saadia Gaon puts the people at the center, suggesting that all aspects of the rite aimed to achieve atonement for Israel's sins.  It is possible that the ceremony was instituted in the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf when the gravity of the people's sins demonstrated a need for vehicles of atonement.  The Hoil Moshe, in contrast, views the rite as aimed at the Mikdash itself, understanding it to be a purification ceremony meant to cleanse the Mikdash of impurities. He connects the institution to the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, suggesting that their deaths contaminated the Mikdash, necessitating a cleansing rite. Shadal and R. D"Z Hoffmann take a middle position, maintaining that the ritual had a dual focus, to both purge the Mikdash of impurity and to expiate the sins of the nation.</p></div> |
<approaches> | <approaches> | ||
<category>Atonement for the People | <category>Atonement for the People | ||
<p>The service described in Vayikra 16 was meant to atone for the nation's sins.</p> | <p>The service described in Vayikra 16 was meant to atone for the nation's sins.</p> | ||
| − | <mekorot><multilink><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Mishna Shevuot</a><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Shevuot 1</a><a href="Mishna" data-aht="parshan">About the Mishna</a></multilink>,<multilink><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source"> Sifra</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">16:16</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-33" data-aht="source">16:33</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonCommentaryVayikra16" data-aht="source">Tafsir Vayikra 16</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3:10</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot30-10" data-aht="source">Shemot 30:10</a><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1-3, 11, 15-16, 34</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Shegagot 11:9</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-1" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:2</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-4" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:18</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:21</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:5</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4-5, 11-12, 24, 30</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-3" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:3</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:15</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot> | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Mishna Shevuot</a><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Shevuot 1</a><a href="Mishna" data-aht="parshan">About the Mishna</a></multilink>,<multilink><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source"> <multilink data-aht="<a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">16:16</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-33" data-aht="source">16:33</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a>"></multilink></a><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">16:16</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-33" data-aht="source">16:33</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonCommentaryVayikra16" data-aht="source">Tafsir Vayikra 16</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3:10</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot30-10" data-aht="source">Shemot 30:10</a><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1-3, 11, 15-16, 34</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Shegagot 11:9</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-1" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:2</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-4" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:18</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:21</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:5</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4-5, 11-12, 24, 30</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-3" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:3</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:15</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot> |
<point><b>Focus of the ceremony</b> – According to these sources, the ceremony of Vayikra 16 focuses on the people rather than the Mikdash. This might be supported by the summary statement of the unit which points to atonement of the nation as the central goal of the rite: "וְהָיְתָה זֹּאת לָכֶם לְחֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְכַפֵּר עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכׇּל חַטֹּאתָם אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה" (verse 34).<fn>See also verse 30, "כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר <b>עֲלֵיכֶם</b> לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם מִכֹּל<b> חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם</b> לִפְנֵי י"י תִּטְהָ<b>רוּ</b>" which similarly focuses on purification of the nation from sin rather than a purging of the Temple from impurity.</fn></point> | <point><b>Focus of the ceremony</b> – According to these sources, the ceremony of Vayikra 16 focuses on the people rather than the Mikdash. This might be supported by the summary statement of the unit which points to atonement of the nation as the central goal of the rite: "וְהָיְתָה זֹּאת לָכֶם לְחֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְכַפֵּר עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכׇּל חַטֹּאתָם אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה" (verse 34).<fn>See also verse 30, "כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר <b>עֲלֵיכֶם</b> לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם מִכֹּל<b> חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם</b> לִפְנֵי י"י תִּטְהָ<b>רוּ</b>" which similarly focuses on purification of the nation from sin rather than a purging of the Temple from impurity.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>Reaction to the Sin of the Golden Calf</b> – This approach might suggest that the rituals were instituted in reaction to the Sin of the Golden Calf, either to commemorate the pardon granted or to facilitate future penitence:<br/> | <point><b>Reaction to the Sin of the Golden Calf</b> – This approach might suggest that the rituals were instituted in reaction to the Sin of the Golden Calf, either to commemorate the pardon granted or to facilitate future penitence:<br/> | ||
Version as of 10:54, 30 April 2020
Fatal 38: Unescaped '<' not allowed in attributes values
13: <mekorot><multilink><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Mishna Shevuot</a><a href="MishnaShevuot1" data-aht="source">Shevuot 1</a><a href="Mishna" data-aht="parshan">About the Mishna</a></multilink>,<multilink><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source"> <multilink data-aht="<a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">16:16</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-33" data-aht="source">16:33</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a>"></multilink></a><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">Sifra Vayikra</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-16" data-aht="source">16:16</a><a href="SifraVayikra16-33" data-aht="source">16:33</a><a href="Sifra Vayikra" data-aht="parshan">About the Sifra Vayikra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonCommentaryVayikra16" data-aht="source">Tafsir Vayikra 16</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonHaEmunotVeHaDeiot3-10" data-aht="source">HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3:10</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot30-10" data-aht="source">Shemot 30:10</a><a href="RashiVayikra16-1-31115-1634" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1-3, 11, 15-16, 34</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamHilkhotShegagot11-9" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Shegagot 11:9</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-1" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:1</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-2" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:2</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-4" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-18" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:18</a><a href="RambanVayikra16-21" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:21</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagVayikra16" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelVayikra16-5" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:5</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoVayikra16-4-511-122430" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:4-5, 11-12, 24, 30</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-3" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:3</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahVayikra16-15" data-aht="source">Vayikra 16:15</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot>