Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Leviticus 27:34 mean?
A: Leviticus 27:34 concludes the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) by stating that all the commandments mentioned were given by Hashem to Moshe for Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai. This emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the mitzvot, as taught in Orthodox Judaism through traditional sources like Rashi and Rambam.
Q: Why is it important that the commandments were given at Har Sinai?
A: Har Sinai is where the Torah was given to the Jewish people, marking the foundational moment of our covenant with Hashem. As explained in the Talmud (Shabbat 88a) and Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 28:6), the revelation at Sinai was a unique, historic event that binds all Jews to observe the mitzvot for all generations.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 27:34?
A: This verse teaches us that every mitzvah in the Torah is equally important because they all come from the same divine source. As Rambam writes in his introduction to Mishneh Torah, we must approach all commandments with equal seriousness, whether they seem major or minor.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds us that the 613 mitzvot remain binding on all Jews today, as they were given at Sinai for all generations. The Chofetz Chaim explains in his works that even though we no longer have the Beit Hamikdash, many of these commandments still apply in our daily lives through prayer, kindness, and Torah study.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize that these are 'the commandments'?
A: The phrasing 'these are the commandments' serves as a conclusion to the book of Vayikra, summarizing that everything preceding this verse constitutes divine commandments. Rashi explains that this comes to include even the oral traditions and explanations of the mitzvot that were also given at Sinai, showing the completeness of Torah law.
Introduction to the Verse
The verse (Vayikra 27:34) serves as a concluding statement to the book of Vayikra (Leviticus), emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the commandments given to Moshe at Har Sinai. This declaration reinforces the foundational belief in Torah MiSinai—that all mitzvot were transmitted by Hashem to Moshe and Bnei Yisrael.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi comments on this verse by noting that the phrase "אֵלֶּה הַמִּצְוֺת" ("These are the commandments") serves to exclude any later additions or interpretations that might claim divine origin but were not given at Sinai. He emphasizes that no prophet may introduce new mitzvot beyond those revealed to Moshe (based on the principle in Devarim 4:2 and 13:1).
Rambam's Perspective
In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 9:1), the Rambam elaborates that this verse underscores the immutability of the Torah's commandments. Any claim of a new mitzvah not rooted in Sinai is inherently false, as the Torah's laws were given in their entirety at Har Sinai and transmitted faithfully through the generations.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Implications
The Talmud (Chagigah 6a) derives from this verse that all mitzvot—whether major or minor, whether explicitly stated in the Torah or derived through hermeneutic principles—were included in the Sinai revelation. This forms the basis for the Oral Torah's legitimacy, as it is seen as an inseparable part of the original divine communication.
Kabbalistic Dimension
The Zohar (Vayikra 113b) interprets "אֵלֶּה הַמִּצְוֺת" as alluding to the interconnectedness of mitzvot with the sefirot, suggesting that each commandment reflects a divine channel established at Sinai. The revelation was not merely a historical event but an eternal spiritual blueprint for the Jewish people.