Greetings,
First I would like to thank all of you for adding new dimention to my study of Ezra.
The question I have isn't so much surrounding the legalities of his actions, but I am very curious to know if anyone has verified Ezra's intent.
For instance, was he concerned for the spiritual life of the dead community? Or does this question rely soley on the legality of the chata'os that were brought?
In reading his work, which expressed so much concern for his ancestors and their spiritual health, I would probably be inclined to agree with the rule of "Ein ha'Tzibur Meisim". Simply because if the sins of ancestors can be weighed upon their descendants, it would be logical to assume that the reverse could also apply.
But I would love to hear your take on what his "intentions" were.
Congratulations on a remarkable website!
Sheila
Sheila E. Lord, Orleans, MA
From the context of the verses it would appear that these Korbanos were a prerequisite to the rebuilding of the Temple. As a prelude to rebuilding, the sins that caused the destruction of the previous Temple had to be atoned for.
This is especially true according to what the Gemara teaches here (see Insights) regarding the nature of a "Tzibur," a community. The new "Tzibur" that returned to Israel to rebuild the Mikdash is seen as a sequel to the original one. It was therefore tainted with the sins that were sinned in the past until the proper Korbanos were brought to atone for them.
M. Kornfeld