Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Sugya Map

• Issue: The nature of the "contribution" (תרומה) mentioned in Yechezkel 45:16, specifically who is obligated to give it, and for whom it is ultimately intended, given the Nasi's subsequent role in providing offerings.
• Nafka Mina(s):
  • Understanding the financial structure of the Beis Hamikdash in the Messianic era.
  • The division of responsibility between the laypeople (עם הארץ) and the spiritual/political leader (נשיא).
  • The concept of collective atonement and its funding mechanism.
• Primary Sources: Yechezkel 45:16, 45:17.

Text Snapshot

• Yechezkel 45:16: "כל העם הארץ יהיו אל התרומה הזאת לנשיא בישראל."
• Dikduk/Leshon Nuance: The phrase "כל העם הארץ" is debated. Radak notes a chesaron hasmichut (חסרון הסמיכות) – a missing construct form, similar to "ארון הברית" – implying "all the people of the land." Malbim posits it means the obligation is upon "the Am and upon the Eretz," even exempting those from other taxes, emphasizing universal obligation due to the land itself. "יהיו אל התרומה" implies participation or being for the contribution, while "לנשיא בישראל" signifies it is for or to the prince.

Readings

• Radak (on Yechezkel 45:16:2): Chiddush: The people's contribution (תרומה) is dual-purpose: "בעבור עצמם" (for their own atonement, as stated in 45:17) and "ובעבור הנשיא גם כן" (also for the Nasi). This positions the Nasi as both a recipient of communal funds for offerings and a provider of certain offerings on behalf of the nation.
• Metzudat David (on Yechezkel 45:16:1): Chiddush: "אין מי נקי מהם כולם יתנו התרומה הזאת ואף על הנשיא בישראל גם עליו לתת התרומה הזאת." Everyone, without exception, is obligated to give this terumah, including the Nasi himself. This emphasizes a universal individual obligation, even for the leader, preceding his role as the primary provider of communal sacrifices.

Friction

• Kushya: If "כל העם הארץ" contribute "לנשיא בישראל" (45:16), implying the Nasi receives the funds, how can Metzudat David claim "אף על הנשיא בישראל גם עליו לתת התרומה הזאת" – that the Nasi also gives? Moreover, how does this square with 45:17, where the Nasi "he shall provide the purgation offerings, the grain offerings..."? Is he a recipient, a contributor, or both?
• Terutz: Radak's approach resolves this tension. The Nasi is indeed a recipient of the people's terumah, which funds the tzibbur's general sacrificial needs, and is also "for" his own capacity to bring the communal sacrifices mentioned in 45:17. Metzudat David can be understood as clarifying that the Nasi, as an individual, is not exempt from the general communal terumah obligation, even if he later administers it. The funds are pooled, and the Nasi acts as the agent for the tzibbur, both from their contributions and potentially from his own resources for specific Nasi-specific offerings.

Intertext

• Mishnah Shekalim 1:1: "באחד באדר משמיעין על השקלים ועל הכלאים." The annual half-shekel contribution, collected from all Israel, funded the communal offerings (קרבנות ציבור) in the Beis Hamikdash. This establishes a precedent for collective financial responsibility for national sacrifices, administered by leadership. Mishnah Shekalim 1:1.
• Bamidbar 28-29: Details the specific communal sacrifices (מוספים) brought daily, on Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, and festivals, illustrating the ongoing nature of communal obligations that require funding.

Psak/Practice

The sugya underscores a foundational principle in Jewish communal life: the collective responsibility of the tzibbur to financially support its spiritual institutions and offerings, even when administered by a designated leader. The Nasi here functions as a trustee and agent for the people (שליח ציבור), receiving their contributions to fulfill the national obligation of atonement. This heuristic emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between leadership and the populace in maintaining the communal spiritual infrastructure.

Takeaway

The Nasi in Yechezkel acts as both a communal representative and an individual participant, embodying the collective responsibility of Israel to fund and maintain its sacred service for atonement. The national offerings are a shared burden, enabling unified spiritual elevation.