Don Isaac Abravanel, sometimes spelled Abarbanel (1437-1508) was a probing and penetrating Jewish thinker, as well as a prolific
Biblical commentator. Leviticus 27 concludes this third book of the five books of Moses. The subject
matter covers donations to the Tabernacle.
“And God spoke to Moses saying. Speak unto the Children of Israel and
say unto them. When a man shall clearly utter a vow of persons unto
God, according to your valuation.”
What type of utterance turns an oral pledge into a bone fide obligation? How are gifts valued, and by
whom? These are a sampling of questions Abravanel poses to Bible students. He also encourages
readers to investigate the placement of this section, suggesting that it should have been broached in the
previous Torah portion of Behar.
For our purposes here, we shall focus on Abravanel’s answer regarding the insertion here of this section
of pledges and donations to the Tabernacle and Holy Temple. Two rationales address the issue of
placement or juxtaposition.
One, the Book of Leviticus generally relates to priestly laws, the Tabernacle, and the altar. In that
light, it makes sense that Leviticus should conclude with a topic consistent with the book’s main theme.
Certainly, pledges and donations to the Tabernacle fit the bill, if you will. We are speaking about gifts
earmarked for usage by the priests and beneficial to the Tabernacle – a personnel or maintenance fund.
Two, the Torah takes a heavy-handed approach toward Hebrews who violate the sabbatical and
jubilee commandments. Non-compliance of these agricultural laws results in Jews being sent into exile.
The commandments surrounding pledges and donations to the Tabernacle serve as an excellent
connector, insofar as they are a subset of the bigger jubilee category.
How? Perhaps a farmer will decide to donate his field to the priests or Tabernacle, as per an upcoming
verse: “And if a man shall sanctify unto God part of the field of his possession…”
To sum up, Abravanel illustrates that the laws concerning pledges and donations to the Tabernacle are
under the general rubric of the jubilee commandment. As such, its placement here makes sense.
