pilgrimage sacrifices

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1. Seeing God or Being Seen By God (Audio)

   Rabbi Elyakim Krumbein | 7 minutes

   Who is being seen during the Temple pilgrimage sacrifices—God or the members of Bnei Yisrael? The grammar and vocalization of the phrasing is strange and unclear. This tension is explored by examining momentous instances in Tanakh where there is a phrase relating to "seeing God's face"—such as the place of the Akeida and where Yaakov wrestles with the mysterious figure.

2. Seeing God or Being Seen By God

   Rabbi Elyakim Krumbein

   Who is being seen during the Temple pilgrimage sacrifices—God or the members of Bnei Yisrael? The grammar and vocalization of the phrasing is strange and unclear. This tension is explored by examining momentous instances in Tanakh where there is a phrase relating to "seeing God's face"—such as the place of the Akeida and where Yaakov wrestles with the mysterious figure.

3. Rashi on Emor: Festivals and Fields

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 19 minutes

   We discuss Rashi on Parashat Emor.  One of Rashi’s comments touches upon the question of where our focus must be- on the Beit HaMikdash or on the foundation of a good society? In the midst of Parshat haMoadim (the section about the agricultural festivals), a  law about reaping fields reappears. Peah is an agricultural mitzva, and helping the poor is important, but what is this mitzva doing here? What accounts for the repetition after it appears in PArashat Kedoshim? What is the significance of its placement in the midst of the regalim (Pilgrimage Festivals)?

4. The “Festival of Sukkot” and the “Festival of the Ingathering"

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   The Torah associates the three pilgrim festivals with two distinct concepts. First, the Torah relates them to the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah also associates the pilgrim festivals with the natural aspect of Eretz Yisrael, its agricultural cycles.

   Not a word about any historical memory of the Exodus and the giving of the Torah is mentioned in relation to the “Festival of the Ingathering” (Sukkot) in Shemot.  However, the section on the festivals in Sefer Vayikra  clarifies that Sukkot is celebrated in the seventh month, joining it to the Festival of the Ingathering. 

   In our discussion, as we relate to the offerings listed in Bemidbar, we argue that the “Festival of Sukkot” and the “Festival of the Ingathering” are in fact two festivals on the same date - two distinct festivals that occur simultaneously. In Devarim, they two aspects are explicitly linked to convey an important message counteracting the dangers of excessive pride at the agricultural abundance. 

   Though the pilgrimage commemorations and the "stay-at-home" celebrations each focused on a different aspect, eventually, the ideal of Devarim was realized and the nation was more united in its celebrations of both holidays together.