💾 Archived View for scholasticdiversity.us.to › scriptures › jewish › t › Ibn%20Ezra%20on%20Leviticu… captured on 2024-05-10 at 13:55:34. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
1 ‎[1] In the name of God who commandsthat a fire offering be brought before him.I begin to explain the book *And The Lord Called Unto Moses*.
AND THE LORD CALLED. We find two reasons for the covenant made with an individual. It is also possible for one commandment to have many reasons. The commandment regarding the burnt offering and the sacrifice are examples of the latter, for when the officiant offers each part in its proper time, then the part which has a part in the world to come is saved. Therefore the meaning of *le-khapper* (to make atonement) (v. 4) is to give ransom. The opening of the Torah portion *Ki Tissa* is proof. Scripture therefore reads, *lest He* *fall upon us with pestilence* (Ex. 5:3). There is also a secret regarding the future in the burnt offering. One can also learn from each sacrifice the secret of nature. The purpose of the sin offering and the unleavened bread is to sustain the teachers of the Torah. The reason *And the Lord called unto Moses* follows *And Moses was not able to enter* (Ex. 40:35) is that the Glory called to Moses from the tent of meeting and told him to come there, and there He would speak with him. The Glory was on the other side of the curtain and Moses entered there. The latter is clearly stated in Scripture. This is the meaning of *and the similitude of the Lord doth he behold* (Num. 12:8). The reason Scripture mentions the sacrifices before the commandments is that God’s presence will return to its place if Israel does not keep the law of the burnt offering. The latter came to pass. Far be it from God to require a burnt offering. Scripture clearly states, *If I were hungry, I would not tell thee…*(Ps. 50:12). On the contrary, it has a secret meaning.
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