Pisqa’ 651
1
“Do not act in any way as we do here today” (Dt.12:8)—
by bringing obligatory offerings to the Eternal Abode,
and optional offerings to the [external] cultic sites.
Another word:
“Do not act in any way” (Dt.12:8)—
that is, by going out to do.
On this basis they taught:
Prior to building the Dwelling,
the [external] cultic sites were permitted
[for sacrificial offerings],
and the service was offered
by the First-born males.
Once the Dwelling was built,
the cultic sites were proscribed,
and the service was offered by Priests.
When they came to Gilgal (Hos.8:11),
the cultic sites were once again permitted.
When they came to Shiloh (Josh.18:1),
the cultic sites were once again proscribed.
When they came to Nob (1Sam:21:2ff.) and Gibeon (1Ki.3:4ff.),
the cultic sites were once again permitted.
When they came to Jerusalem (1Ki.8:1ff.),
the high places were once again prohibited.
From then on,
the cultic sites were never again permitted.2
“Do not act in any way as we do here today” (Dt.12:8)—
today [during our wilderness wandering] we carry the Dwelling with us,
today we are prohibited to offer at a cultic site.
But once we enter the Land,
we will not be prohibited to offer at a cultic site.
2
R. Judah says:
Is it possible to say that
the community can offer at a cultic site?
The Teaching states:
“Each person” (Dt.12:8)—
thus, an individual may offer at a cultic site,
but the community may not offer at a cultic site.
“Each person doing whatever he thinks right ” (Dt.12:8)—
whoever vowed an offering or volunteered an offering
could offer it up at a private cultic site.
But whoever did not vow an offering
or volunteer an offering,
would not offer it up on a private cultic site.3
3
R. Shimon says:
Today we offer Purification-offerings4 and Guilt-offerings,
but once we enter the Land,5
we will not offer Purification-offerings or Guilt-offerings.