BRINGING THE KORBAN TAMID IN THE DAYS OF MOSHIACH

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh:

Every single day we Daven three times a day. The Gemara (Brachos) tells us that one of the reasons that we daven is to be a substitute for the daily sacrifices that were in the Beis HaMikdash.

Every day there were two “T’midim – Steady Korbanos” sacrificed. The Torah (BaMidbar 28:1) tells us: “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Command the children of Israel and say to them: My offering, My food for My fire offerings, a spirit of satisfaction for Me, you shall take care to offer to Me at its appointed time. And you shall say to them: This is the fire offering which you shall offer to the Lord: two unblemished lambs in their first year each day as a continual burnt offering. The one lamb you shall offer up in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer up in the afternoon…” In their place, we Daven Shacharis and Mincha.

Yet, many commentaries hold that this will change in the times of Moshiach. The Navi (Yechezkel 46:13) says: And a lamb of the first year, without blemish shall you bring as a burnt-offering daily to the Lord, every morning shall you bring it.”

The Radak asks: “Why does the Navi only mention one Korban Tamid? It seems from here that in the time of Yemos HaMoshiach only the morning Tamid will be brought.”

That would explain why the name of the Masechta that deals with the two T’midim is called Tamid in the singular, because only one Korban Tamid will be brought in the time of Moshiach.

Why should things be different in the Times of Moshiach? There are a few answers given:

1) The Birkas Shmuel (Parshas Tzav) writes: The morning Tamid represented the attribute of Chesed (kindness) while the Evening Tamid represented the attribute of G’vura. Being that in the time of Yemos HaMoshiach, Hashem will rule with the attribute of Chesed, we will only bring the morning Tamid.

2)The Nefesh HaChayim writes that the two T’midim represent the sun and the moon. In the time of exile, when people can mistakenly worship these entities, they need to be represented by the T’midim. In the times of Moshiach, everyone will realize that all creations – including the sun and moon – were created and being directed by Hashem, there is no need for both Korbanos.

3) The Shem M’Shimon (Even HaEzer siman aleph) writes that the second Tamid represents the 70 nations of the world. Before the time of Moshiach, they feel that they are an independent existence and therefore we need to bring a separate korban for them. In Yemos HaMoshiach, when the truth is revealed to all and all negative forces will disappear, there is no longer a need for the second korban.

However, it must be noted that the Rambam argues with the above. The above is based on the assumption that the Navi Yechezkel was talking about the regular korbanos. The Rambam (whose Yahrtzait was 20 Teves) however (Hilchos Maaseh HaKorbanos 2:14): All of the measures of the accompanying offerings mentioned in the Book of Yechezkel, the listing of the sacrifices, and the order of service written there are all inauguration offerings and will not be practiced in generations to follow. Instead, the prophet commanded and outlined how the inauguration offerings will be brought at the time of the dedication of the altar at the time of the coming of the King Moshiach when the Third Temple will be built.” Based on this, it is clear that Rambam holds that we will continue to bring both T’midim in Yemos HaMoshiach.

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.