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THE TANACH STUDY CENTER/ In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
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HAFTARA / PARSHAT TZAVEH
Yechezkel 43:10-27
PROPHETIC BACKGROUND
The last nine chapters of Sefer Yechezkel (40->48),
describing the minute details of the construction of the SECOND
Bet HaMikdash, stand in contrast to the opening 24 chapters of
the Sefer, which describe the SHCHINA leaving Yerushalayim as
well as the reason for the destruction of the FIRST Bet
HaMikdash.
In this vision (in 25th year of the Exile), Yechezkel sees
the SHCHINA returning to Yerushalayim in a manner similar to his
vision (in the 5th year of the Exile) of the SHCHINA as it left
Yerushalayim (see 40:1-3 & 43:1-3!).
In the beginning of chapter 43, Yechezkel explains one of
the primary reasons why the SHCHINA left the first Bet
Ha'Mikdash:
"For the placed their threshold next to My threshold and
their doorposts next to My doorposts, leaving only a wall
between Me and them, and they would defile My Holy Name..."
(See 43:8 & its context in 43:1-9)
Basically, Yechezkel finds a certain fault in the original
architectural plans of the First Temple which caused God's Name
to be defiled.
Recall from Sefer Melachim that when Shlomo Ha'melech built
the first Bet HaMikdash, the king's palace was built NEXT DOOR
to Temple. In fact, Sefer Melachim describes the construction of
the king's palace (7:1-12) as an integral part of the Temple
complex (see 6:1-7:51).
[I recommend that you scan those chapters to note this.
Note that there is not even a 'parsha break' between 6:38
(the completion of the construction of the HEICHAL) and 7:1
(the beginning of the construction of Shlomo's palace).
Note also that the description of remainder of the Temple
complex (7:13-51) continues immediately after the
description of Shlomo's palace!]
With this background, we can better understand Yechezkel's
prophecy in this week's Haftara (43:10-27).
WHO'S THE KING?
Shlomo Ha'Melech had good intentions when he built the
Temple complex in this manner. After all, the King of Israel is
to represent God before his own nation and ALSO before all the
nations of mankind. The proximity of these two palaces, with the
House of God built high above the House of the King emphasizes
this theme - that it is truly the Almighty who rules above all,
and that man's kingdom is below Him.
Despite the idealism of this original plan, in practice this
plan backfired. Too often, the King perceived himself as God and
acted as though he was in charge of what would take place in the
Temple. [For example, see (in Divrei Ha'yamim) the acts of Assah,
Amatzya, Uziyahu, Achaz, and Menashe in relation to the Bet
Ha'Mikdash.]
Therefore, Yechezkel explains, God destroyed the first
Temple, so that the Kings will not be able to do this again:
"...and I consumed them in My anger. Now, let them put
their apostasy and the CORPSES OF THEIR KINGS FAR AWAY from
Me, and then I will DWELL among them forever." (43:9)
NEW BLUEPRINTS
In order to emphasize this message to Am Yisrael in the
Exile, Yechezkel informs them of the NEW plans for the next
Temple (43:10). These plans put the King far away from the
Temple. Instead of the King's palace next door, the Temple will
now be surrounded (and spiritually protected) by large
courtyards.
[See the previous chapter 42:15-20, read carefully (this
may be the source for Har Ha'bayit being 500 x 500). See
also context of the entire chapter. Clearly in 43:10, when
Yechezkel tells the people of the plans for the Temple, he
is referring to the details found in chapters 40->42.]
In fact, the name MELECH (king) is rarely used in Sefer
Yechezkel (only in 37:15-28, where he foresees that the Kingdom
will no longer be split between Yehuda and Ephraim). Instead, the
national leader is consistently referred to as the NASI - the
prince. Another indication of God's disgust with the kings of
Israel during the first Temple period. [It is not by chance that
a Kingdom (and dynasty), like that of Bayit Rishon, never
developed during Bayit Sheni.]
Therefore, Yechezkel instructs Bnei Yisrael (in Exile) to
study the new architectural plans for the Bet HaMikdash which
reflect this change. By doing so, they will realize their sins
and thus be better prepared for their return (43:10-12).
Yechezkel continues in chapter 43 with the plans for the new
MIZBAYACH (43:13-18). Because the MIZBACH HA'OLAH is the primary
vessel in the Mikdash, for upon it, Bnei Yisrael offer their
korbanot, it requires a special dedication ceremony.
Once again, to emphasize the nature of the next Temple as
a NEW START, it is necessary to perform on the new MIZBAYACH a
special dedication ceremony, just like the dedication ceremony
for the Mizbach HaOlah in the Mishkan (Shmot chapter 29).
The Kohanim who will officiate on this MIZBAYACH will be
from the family of ZADOK, for only that family remained worthy
(43:19 / see also 44:15-16!).
During this ceremony, the blood of the korbanot will be
sprinkled not only on the MIZBAYACH, but also on the four corners
of the courtyard and upon the entire boundary of the Temple
complex (43:20). Again, this may reflect the importance of the
new large courtyard which protects the Mikdash from 'unwanted'
neighbors and visitors (as explained above).
Just like in the Mishkan, this process will take seven days,
and on each day a CHATAT and OLAH will be offered. On the eighth
day, regular service can commence (43:21-27). It is the hope of
Yechezkel, that if the people prepare themselves properly, this
new Temple (unlike the first Temple) will fulfill its divine
purpose.
shabbat shalom,
menachem
FOR FURTHER IYUN
A. Note that during this dedication ceremony there is no third
korban - the ayil ha'miluim - unlike the ceremony in Shmot 29.
Can you explain why? (What was the purpose of that third
korban? Is there a need for that to take place again?)
B. Later in Yechezkel, in the new Temple the NASI is required to
offer many special korbanot (see 45:18-46:15). Based on the above
shiur, can you explain why?
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