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8 ‎[1] LOTS. We know what they are from the words of our sages. The Gaon says that Azazel is the name of a mountain. It is so called because of its might. God’s name is mentioned in Azazel as it is in *ke-harere el* (the mighty mountains) (Ps. 36:7) and in *yakti’el* (Joktheel) (II Kings 14:7). The Gaon, the Levite, caught him in error. He pointed out that the *alef* of Azazel is placed between one *zayin* and the other *zayin*. There are those who say that Azazel is the name of a mountain close to Mount Sinai. God commanded that the goat be led and brought up there until it slipped down the mountain. Later on in the time of the temple, they led it to a different mountain. “And Aaron did” (v. 34) is proof of this. The same, in my opinion, as I will explain in its place, is true of the festival of Shavu’ot. There are those who say that the service during the second temple was unlike that of the first, for the *kohen* lacked the garments and there was no ark-cover. This commentator says that the goat was sent into the wilderness, for Scripture states, *and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness* (v. 22). The latter is similar in meaning to the bird of the one who is cleansed from leprosy which is sent into the open field, an uninhabited place. *A land which is cut off* (v. 22) is proof of this. We answered him that they sent the goat into the wilderness as it is written. However, the goat was pursued until it fled and climbed up a rock. The rabbis therefore said, “and he pushes it down.” Rabbi Samuel says that even though it is written that the goat offered as a sin offering is to be offered to God, the goat that was sent was also offered to God. There is no need for this interpretation, for the goat sent into the wilderness did not serve as an offering since it was not slaughtered. If you are able to understand the secret that follows Azazel then you will know its secret and the secret of its name, for it has comrades in Scripture. I will reveal a bit of its secret to you in a hint. When you are thirty-three, you will understand it.
Version: Ibn Ezra's commentary on the Pentateuch, tran. and annot. by H. Norman Strickman and Arthur M. Silver. Menorah Pub., 1988-2004
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH001102376/NLI
License: CC-BY-NC