Dear all,
Today we got into groups and read different opinions about why korbanot existed. My partner, the great Sade of the title, and I both liked the first two opinions by Rambam (pretty sure). One said that they were there because the 3 animals that are sacrificed were the 3 that people worshipped and didnt kill. So the Jews slaughtered them to show them that, hey! these aren't gods!
The second opinion, which I like alot, says that korbanot aren't really something G-d needs or wants, but G-d gave them to the Jews because they were living in a world where everyone brought korbanot. It would seem so unbelievable to the Jews if they didn't bring korbanot. It was just how they thought things should be, so G-d gave it to them. (kind of like with a king) Really, korbanot aren't esential.
Sade brought up the following, which is such an amazing point:
Then why does the Torah have so much focus on korbanot?!
So let me hear your thoughts... why do you think this would be? It's a fantastic question, truly...
My own answer- perhaps it is the same thing as with a king. G-d told them they shouldn't have one, but He knew they would ask so She gave them rules about the king. So, the Almighty also gave the Jews korbanot. But, if they still thought they needed to bring korbanot after witnessing G-d's greatness, perhaps they weren't really so bright and 100% "WE LOVE HASHEM!!"
I must say, I really like where you went with this. Your answer was truly an insightful one and perhaps that is one of the reasons why.
ReplyDeleteI, like you, agree with the second thing the Rambam says. I think the first thing he said was okay, and it totally made sense, but I feel like it is unnecessary. Like the Jews were doing that to spite the other religions or something.
What I want to know, though, is how much focus does the Torah have on korbanot? Also, since the Torah is kind've a history book, maybe it was important that they mention korbanot at certain times because that's what the Jews were doing. Like, it'll say "at this time they gave such and such korbanot by doing so and so" because it gives us insight on what they were doing at the time. Since that's what they were doing, it had to include it. (That's basically what you said).