Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Exodus 25:5/אבן עזרא על שמות כ״ה:ה׳
אוערת אילם. שהם גדולים, וזאת האומנות בארץ אלגודמא"ס, ונקרא גודמאנסי:
1AND RAMS’ SKINS. Skins from large rams. Such skins are prepared in the land of Al Gudmas36 and are referred to as gudmasi.
בתחשים. מן חיה היתה ידוע בימים ההם, כי כן כתוב ואנעלך תחש (יחז' טז י), והנה כבר היה נודע:
2AND SEALSKINS. Techashim (seals) refers to a type of animal that was known then,37 as it is written, va-ena’alekh tachash (and shod thee with sealskin) (Ezek. 27:7). It is thus clear that it was already known.38 was known in Ezekiel’s days; otherwise Ezekiel would not have referred to it. I.E. takes issue with the Rabbinic interpretation that the tachash existed only during the time that the tabernacle was constructed. If this was the case, why would Ezekiel refer to it? See Talmud Sabbath 28a. Also see Rashi.
גועצי שטים. יש מקדמונינו שאמר שיעקב אבינו נטעם, וישראל הוציאם ממצרים במצות משה, והראיה וכל אשר נמצא אתו (למטה לה כד) כמו התכלת והארגמן, ויש לתמוה למה נאמר אשר נמצא אתו, לצרכו ואם אמרנו כן יש לתמוה למה הוציאו עצי שטים, כי מה צורך יש להם ועוד הנה המצרים חושבים כי לזבוח הם הולכים ואחר כך ישובו ועל כן השאילום ואיך יוציאו קרשים רבים אורך כל אחד מהם עשר אמות, גם בריחים, והם עברו על מצרים מקום המלוכה, ומה היתה תשובה לשואליהם, למה יוליכו עצי שטים, והם הולכים לזבוח דרך שלשת ימים והנה לא ידענו אם קבלה היתה ביד אבותינו שממצרים הוציאום, גם אנחנו נסור אל משמעתם, ואם סברא היא יש לבקש דרך אחרת, ונאמר כי היה סמוך אל הר סיני יער עצי שטים ובבואם שם, אמר להם ששם יתעכבו הרבה, ואין עליהם ענן כאשר פירשתי, אז עשה כל אחד סוכה, והנשיאים עשו כדמות חצרות, כל אחד כפי מעלתו וכרתו כל היער, כי עם רב היו ועשו סוכות, ומשה לא דבר להם דבר המשכן, רק אחר יום הכפורים, וזה טעם וכל אשר נמצא אתו:
3AND ACACIA-WOOD. Some of our ancient sages said39 1:9 and Bereshit Rabba 94:4. Also see Rashi. that the patriarch Jacob planted acacia trees in Egypt, and Israel, upon the command of Moses, brought them out. And every man, with whom was found40 acacia-wood…brought it (Ex. 35:24) is proof of this.41 They possessed acacia as they possessed the blue and the purple.42 However, one wonders, why does Scripture say, with whom was found, which means it was used for personal needs.43 is, whoever brought out wood for the purpose of erecting the tabernacle. However, if this was its meaning, then Scripture should have read, whoever brought out (acacia wood) (Krinsky). Hence we must interpret with whom was found according to its plain meaning, i.e., whoever happened to have had acacia wood for his personal needs. Now, if we so interpret it,44 as meaning that the acacia wood was used by each individual who brought it out of Egypt for that person’s own use. then we must ask, why did the Israelites take acacia wood out of Egypt? What need did they have for acacia wood?45 Furthermore, it is clear that the Egyptians thought that the Israelites were going to offer sacrifices and then return to Egypt. That is why the Egyptians lent the Israelites [gold and silver jewels plus raiment].46 How could the Israelites take out many boards, each one of which was ten cubits?47 The boards were also accompanied by bars.48 In Egypt they passed by the seat of the king. What was their answer to those who asked them why they were carrying acacia wood when they were going on a three-day journey to offer sacrifices? Now we do not know whether our ancestors had a tradition that the Israelites took the acacia wood out of Egypt. If they did, then we will accept their tradition. However, if their statement is based on reasoning, then we must seek another explanation. We suggest that there was a forest of acacia trees next to Mount Sinai. When Israel came to Sinai, Moses told them that they would be spending a long time there. I have already explained49 that there was no cloud over them at this time.50 Each one of them then made a booth. The princes made court-like structures, each one in accordance with his status. They cut the entire forest down, for they were a large nation. They made booths.51 Moses did not speak to them regarding the tabernacle until after the Day of Atonement.52 This is the meaning of with whom was found (Ex. 35:24).53