What is "Koh Amar Hashem" referring to? When did Hashem say it?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: He said it above in Mishpatim, Sh'mos 22:19, when He stated "Zove'ach la'Elohim Yocharam!" 1
Ramban: Following Moshe's request not to wipe out Yisrael, Hashem responded by telling Moshe 2 that, in that case, he himself should see to it that the perpetrators are punished. 3
Moshav Zekenim (in Pasuk 11): Before he descended Har Sinai wit the Luchos, Moshe stipulated with Hashem about this. Refer to 32:27:4:3.
See Ramban's objection to this explanation.
Even though the Torah does not record it - like we find in many instances. See for example, 16:32 (Ramban). Refer also to 11:1:4:1*.
Similar to the episode in Balak, Bamidbar 25:4 (Ramban).
Why did Moshe insert the term "Elokei Yisrael" here?
Ramban: Because the people had in mind to worship 'Elokei Yisrael' - the Midas ha'Din. 1 That is why the Midas ha'Din punished them. 2
Ramban: And not Havayah (Midas Rachamim) directly to which all Korbanos must be brought - a change that is referred to as 'Kitzutz Neti'os' (Ramban) (disconnecting from the source).
And it is on account of the Levi'im's response that the Torah writes about them (in Bamidbar,Korach, 16:9 "Ki Hivdil Hashem Elokei Yisrael eschem me'Adas Yisrael" (Ramban).
What is the significance of the words "Ivru va'Shuvu"?
Seforno: When the Levi'im went round the Camp killing the sinners, the people who had not sinned but who had not got up to protest, would attain their Kaparah by not protesting now either.
Targum Yonasan: It means "Daven and do Teshuvah".
What did Moshe set out to achieve by issuing these instruction to the B'nei Levi?
Seforno: Refer to 32:27:3:1 & 32:25:2:4*.
Ramban: Refer to 32:26:2:2.
Seeing as none of the Levi'im sinned by the Eigel, what is the meaning of "Ish es Achiv ... "ve'Ish es K'rovo"?
Rashi (in Devarim 33:9): It refers to the Levi's maternal brothers and relatives and to their sons-in-law.
Why did Moshe not convene a Beis-Din and sentence them to death with witnesses and warning?
Rashi and Ramban #1 (citing Yoma, 66b): He did! Refer to 32:20:1:1*. 1
Ramban #2: Because a. so many people were involved with the Eigel that it was impossible to bring them all to Beis-Din, and b. nobody had warned them, 2 and Moshe relied on the Levi'im to recognize the perpetrators.
Ramban #3 (citing Yoma 66b): The Levi'im killed those who offered sacrifices and incense to the Eigel; whoever hugged and kissed it 3 died in the ensuing plague, 4 and those who merely rejoiced over it were stricken with jaundice.
Ramban #4: It was those who assembled upon Aharon and who donated gold who were stricken by the plague. 5
And they were either sentenced to Sekilah or to Sayaf (Hereg, by the sword) - like the inhabitants of an Ir ha'Nidachas (Ramban).
Ramban: In fact, Moshe was putting into practice the ruling that, in the event that Beis-Din is unable to kill the culprit in the conventional manner, they are permitted to kill him in whichever way they can. See Sanhedrin, 45b.
A Hora'as Sha'ah (a one-time ruling), seeing as hugging and kissing are not generally subject to the death-penalty (Ramban).
Whereas the previous opinion he attributes there to Targum Onkelos.
