Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 16:14/אבן עזרא על ויקרא ט״ז:י״ד
אהיה נראה לנו כי על פני הכפרת ולפני הכפרת כמשמעו והמעתיקים אמרו כי על פני הכפרת הוא על בין הבדים ולפני הכפורת ידוע מדבריהם והוא אמת:
1It would have appeared to us that upon the ark-cover (v. 14); and before the arkcover (Ibid.) are to be taken literally. However, the transmitters of tradition said that upon the ark-cover means between the staves.68 stands between the staves of the ark and sprinkles from there. Furthermore, according to the rabbis the kohen does not actually sprinkle blood on the ark-cover but upward towards the ark-cover. See Yoma 53b. The meaning of and before the ark-cover is known from their words.69 means downward in front of the ark-cover. The blood fell on the ground. See Yoma 53b. What they said is true.