Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 24/אבן עזרא על ויקרא כ״ד
אוטעם להזכיר פרשת שמן זית זך בעבור שהזכיר אשה כל מועד והוא צריך להזכיר הלחם והמנורה כנגד השלחן:
1[PURE OLIVE OIL.] The reason Scripture now mentions the section1 dealing with the pure olive oil is that the Torah earlier recorded the fire offering of each festival2 and now has to mention the show bread.3 The menorah stood opposite the table.4
אוהוסיף בפרשה הזאת על המנורה הטהורה היא הידועה (עטו) [צ״ל זהב] כלה מעשה בצלאל ולא אחרת ואשר עשוה מברזל בשעת הצורך על פי הנביאים עשוה:
1[UPON THE PURE CANDLESTICK.] Scripture in our section adds upon the pure candlestick.5. The latter refers to the known candlestick,6 which was constructed by Betzalel7 and was completely made of gold.8. It does not refer to any other candlestick. [As to the menorah], which was made of iron,9 43a. it was done so in time of need10 by the word of the prophets.11
אולקחת סלת. בצווי וכך ואפית אותה ובאה זו המלה מלרע והיא זרה:
1AND THOU SHALT TAKE FINE FLOUR. By command.12 Similarly, and bake…thereof.13 by command. Ve-afita (and shalt bake) is ultimately accented. It is irregular.14 and have a conversive vav prefixed to them maintain their penultimate accent. However, ve-afita (and shalt bake) is ultimately accented. Hence it is irregular.
אב׳ מערכות. במספר השבטים כסוד האפוד והחשן או שני עשרונים כמספר המערכות:
1IN TWO ROWS. Corresponding to the number of the tribes.15 This is similar to the secret of the ephod and the breastplate.16 The17 two tenth parts (v. 5) corresponded to the arrangement of the two rows.18
בעל השלחן הטהור. כנגד שלחנות אחרים שיש שם והוא לבדו מצופה זהב וזרו זהב:
2UPON THE PURE TABLE. In contrast to the other tables that were there. This table alone was covered with gold and its crown was of gold.19
אוהלבונה שהיתה עם הלחם הוא אשה לה׳ והלחם לכהן ויתכן שהזכיר זאת הפרשה בעבור שיש חיוב על ישראל לתת עולות המועד ושמן ולחם תמיד:
1It was the frankincense that was with the bread that served as an offering made by fire unto the Lord. The bread was for the kohen. It is possible that Scripture mentioned this section20 because there is an obligation on Israel to provide the festival burnt offerings, the oil, and the bread, which was always on the altar.
אלאהרן ולבניו. כל בני ביתו:
1FOR AARON AND HIS SONS. His entire household.
אויצא בן אשה ישראלית. מאהלו כמו יצאו נצבים פתח אהליהם:
1AND THE SON OF AN ISRAELITISH WOMAN…WENT OUT. From his tent. Compare, came out, and stood at the door of their tents (Num. 16:27).
בבן איש מצרי. מתיהד:
2WHOSE FATHER WAS AN EGYPTIAN. Who converted to Judaism.21
גואיש הישראלי. כמו לאיש העשיר את יום השביעי ולא נדע למה נסמכה זאת הפרשה אולי דבר המקלל דברים אשר לא כן בעבור הלחם והשמן והקרבנות:
3AND A MAN OF ISRAEL. Ve-ish ha-yisra’eli (and a man of Israel) is similar to le-ish he-ashir (unto the rich man) (II Sam. 12:4) and to et yom ha-shevi’iy (the seventh day) (Gen. 2:3).22 prefixed to it, the noun which it modifies also has a heh prefixed to it. I.E. points out that there are instances in Scripture where the above is not followed, viz., our verse, II Sam. 12:4, and Gen 2:3. See I.E. on Gen 1:31 (Vol. 1, p. 47). We do not know why this section23 was connected to that which comes before it. Perhaps the blasphemer spoke improperly with regard to the bread, the oil, and the sacrifices.
אויקב. יש אומרים שפירושו ויפרש כמו אשר פי ה׳ יקבנו אשר נקבו בשמות ויש אומרים שהוא כמו מה אקוב והראשון קרוב לפי דעתי:
1BLASPHEMED. Some say that the meaning of va-yikkov (blasphemed) is enunciated. Compare, Which the mouth of the Lord shall mark out (yikkavennu) (Is. 62:2) and that are pointed out (nikkevu) by name (Num. 1:17). Others say that va-yikkov is similar to ekkov (I curse) in How shall I curse (Num. 23:8). However, I believe that the first interpretation is correct.24 (and blasphemed the Name and cursed). If va-yikkov means “and cursed,” then our verse is repetitious. Hence it appears that our verse should be interpreted as, and enunciated the Name of God and cursed it.
אבמשמר. במקום ידוע במחנה:
1IN WARD.25). In a known place in the camp.26).
אוסמכו כל השומעים. בעבור כי על פי עדותם יסקל:
1AND LET ALL THAT HEARD. For he was stoned because of their testimony.
אכל העדה. הם גדולי הארץ שהם גדולי ישראל ויש אומרים כי יקלל אלהיו בסתר והנכון שמלת אלהים שם התאר והמלאכים יקראו אלהים וכן הדיינים ומי יוכל לדעת מה יש בלב המקלל אך אם יפרש השם הנכבד שאינו שם התאר ולא יתערב עם שם כי הוא לבדו והנה הטעם בעת שיקלל אם יפרש השם יומת בנקבו שם כאשר עשה בן המצרי ולמען כבוד השם לא נזכר. ואמר כגר כאזרח. יומת. ויתכן שהכו אלה הנצים זה את זה על כן נכתבה זאת הפרשה וכבר הזכירה רק הוסיף כגר כאזרח יהיה והחל כי יכה כל נפש אדם בזדון ולא במלחמה מגר או אזרח:
1ALL THE CONGREGATION. The reference is to the magnates of the land who are the great ones of Israel.27 Some say that Whosoever curseth his God (v. 15) means whosoever curseth his God in secret.28 The correct interpretation is as follows. The term Elohim (god) is an adjective. The angels are called elohim.29 So are the judges.30. Who can know what is in the mind of the one who curses? However, if he enunciates the glorious name of God, which stands by itself and is not an adjective and is not intertwined with any noun, [he shall be stoned]. Its meaning is,31. when one curses and enunciates the Name he shall be put to death if he enunciates the Name as the son of the Egyptian did.32 The Name33 is not mentioned34 out of respect for God. Scripture reads, as well the stranger, as the home-born…shall be put to death. It is possible that the ones who quarreled (v. 10) struck each other. This section35 was therefore written.36 It37 had previously been mentioned. However, our chapter adds, as well for the stranger, as for the home-born (v. 22).[17. AND HE THAT SMITETH.] Scripture begins38 with and he that smiteth any man mortally.39 He is not participating in war and deliberately smites any man, be that man a stranger or a native
אומכה בהמה ישלמנה. והנה נפש תחת נפש משמש לשני׳ הפסוקים:
1AND HE THAT SMITETH A BEAST MORTALLY SHALL MAKE IT GOOD. Note, the phrase life for life,40 serves two verses.41, life for life.
אכן יעשה לו. ואמר שמשון כן עשיתי להם:
1SO SHALL IT BE DONE TO HIM. Samson said, so have I done unto them (Jud. 15:11).42. The latter is not to be taken literally, for Samson did not repay his enemies exactly tit for tat. We thus see that as he hath done, so shall it be done to him is not necessarily to be taken literally. It rather means punishment is to be inflicted.
אוהגאון הביא ראיות משקול הדעת כי לא יתכן להיות שבר תחת שבר כמשמעו כי הראשון בא בלא כוונה ואיך יתכן לעשות שבר כמוהו ואם הוא במקום מסוכן הנה ימות וכן בעין ומי שסר שלישית אור עינו איך יוכל לעשות כן בעין החובל על כן דברי הקבלה אמת כי פירוש כל אלה שיש עליו כופר וראוי להוציא עינו אם לא יפדנו ואם טענו עלינו אם היה החובל עני ותשובתינו כי על הרוב דבר הכתוב ושמא יעשיר העני גם זאת התשובה על הטוענים אם היה חובל העין עור כן ינתן בו. יש בי״ת תחת על כמו אשר אני רוכב בה ורבים כן או פירושו כן ינתן בו אם לא יפדה:
1The Gaon43 brought proof from logic that breach for breach (v. 20) cannot be taken literally. The first wound was made unintentionally. How can we justify making a similar wound?44 If the wound is in a vital area, the person will die. The same applies to the eye. How are we to do the same to one who injured his neighbor by causing him to suffer the loss of a third of the sight of an eye?45 The words of tradition are thus true.46 is not to be taken literally. It rather means that he shall make commensurate compensation. Scripture is to be understood as follows. Ransom money is to be paid in all of these cases. It is fitting to remove his eye if he does not ransom it.47 Should one argue against us and say, what happens if the injurer is poor? Then we answer, Scripture speaks about the majority of cases.48 It is possible for the poor to become rich.49 This also answers those who argue, what shall we do in instances when the injurer of the eye is blind?50 cannot be taken literally, for what shall we do in instances when the injurer is blind? I.E. here counters that argument by saying that Scripture speaks of what is usual, and in cases where a blind person blinds someone the penalty of an eye for an eye is not applicable. SO SHALL IT BE RENDERED UNTO HIM.51 (literally in him). Hence I.E.’s comment. There are instances where the bet has the meaning of on.52 means unto him. I.E. renders our clause, “so shall it be rendered upon him,” i.e., a penalty shall be placed upon him. Compare, the beast that I rode upon (bah) (Neh. 2:12). There are many such instances. On the other hand, its meaning might be, so shall it be rendered unto him if he does not pay ransom.53 means unto him.
אוטעם ומכה בהמה. פעם אחרת להזכיר הגר כי נתינת המום הוא בישראל כי כן כתוב בעמיתו רק מכה אדם ובהמה משפט אחד להם כגר כאזרח וכבר הודעתיך כי בהתחבר שני כפי״ן הוא דרך קצרה גם הכתוב אחז דרך קצרה שלא הזכיר עם מכה אדם ומת כי ידוע הוא כי המכה לא יומת עד מות המוכה. ופירוש אחר הזכיר בתחלה נפש והטעם שהכהו במקום מסוכן ואחר כן אמר כלל מי שימית יומת בין שיכה במקום מסוכן או שאינו מסוכן על כן לא הזכיר נפש:
1[AND HE THAT KILLETH A BEAST.] Scripture repeats And he that killeth a beast…54 because it wants to mention the stranger, for when Scripture speaks of maiming (v. 19) it speaks of an Israelite, for the Torah clearly says,55 his neighbor. However, there is one law for both the stranger and the native regarding he that kills a person and he that kills a beast.I have previously informed you that Scripture is being brief when two cafs come together.56 prefix follow each other. Our verse reads ka-ger ka-ezrach (as well for the stranger, as for the home-born). According to I.E. ka-ger ka-ezrach is short for ha-ger ke-ezrach, ve-ha’ezrach ka-ger (the stranger is like the home-born and the home-born is like the stranger). See I.E. on Gen. 44:18 (Vol. 1, p. 396). Scripture also chooses to employ brevity when it does not add “and he dies” to u-makkeh adam57 (and he that killeth a man), for it is known that the culprit is not executed unless the one who is struck dies. Another interpretation for the repetition58 is that Scripture earlier mentions “mortally” (v. 17).59. The latter refers to a blow struck in a vital area. Scripture then lays down60 the following general law: A person who kills shall be put to death whether the blow was struck in a vital area or in a non-vital area. The word nefesh (mortal) is thus not mentioned.61
אוטעם אלהיכם. אלהי האזרח ואלהי הגר:
1[YOUR GOD.] The God of the native and the God of the stranger.
אובני ישראל עשו. מאותו היום כמשפט הזה בחובל:
1AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID. They did from this day and onward to one who injures his neighbor, in accordance with this law.