V
Valke2
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Wthout the Tabernacle, the can be no sacrifices. A. J. Heshscel dicusess two perspectives on why we were commanded to build the Tabernacle, represented by 1st century sages Rabbi Ishmael and Rabbi Akiva.
Rabbi Ishmael’s concern was to emphasize how sacrifice warded off idolatry. He understood the commandment to build the Tabernacle was not given until after the sin of the golden calf. This implies that the command did not enter the Divine mind until after Israel sinned.
Rabbi Akiva disagreed. He believed that all commandments were given in one fell swoop at Sinai.
Ishmael viewed the Tabernacle as serving a human need – to keep us from commiting idolatry and as a testimony to the world of God’s reconcilliation with Israel.
Akiva saw the Tabernacle as serving a Divine need. That God needs and demands sacrifices.
Rabbi Ishmael’s concern was to emphasize how sacrifice warded off idolatry. He understood the commandment to build the Tabernacle was not given until after the sin of the golden calf. This implies that the command did not enter the Divine mind until after Israel sinned.
Rabbi Akiva disagreed. He believed that all commandments were given in one fell swoop at Sinai.
Ishmael viewed the Tabernacle as serving a human need – to keep us from commiting idolatry and as a testimony to the world of God’s reconcilliation with Israel.
Akiva saw the Tabernacle as serving a Divine need. That God needs and demands sacrifices.