The Rambam holds the opinion that the reason for bringing Korbanot was simply because it would be too hard to get rid of this pagan practice completely. Instead of commanding the Jewish people to stop bringing sacrifices altogether, Hashem transformed the practice into something that worshipped Hashem. They used it as a vehicle to pardon since, and they channeled Korbanot in service of Hashem
Rambam is the least in favor of Korbanot. But I don't agree with his opinion at all. I think that this isn't so because there were other practices that Hashem commanded us to stop completely that were a part of the pagan world.
Do you agree with the Rambam? Why or why not?
Jamie it's so nice to see you posting on the blog! I think that the Rambam's opinion makes sense on one hand because it seems the most logical answer compared to the other opinions. Rambam's answer is the easiest one for us to understand because we are too far away from Korbanot to relate to them; Rambam gives an answer that we can (sort of) understand. But on the other hand, you made a very good point when you said that there are other practices that Hashem commanded us to stop completely that were a part of the pagan world. But perhaps korbanot were such an essential part of everyone's culture that it was the hardest one to stop completely. Unlike other pagan practices that Bnei Yisroel could more easily stop, korbanot were just too hard to quit. Korbanot were kind of like the smoking of the pagan world. It's too hard to quit so they channel it into something positive.
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