Tradition states that the Torah will never be “amended” or changed in the future but how come Ezekiel comes up with a prophecy that dictates new sacrifices that would be brought to the third temple. If the Torah can’t be amended, how could Ezekiel come up with a new sacrificial system?
Thank you for your very insightful question.
Indeed, many generations of our Sages have grappled with this and many other apparent difficulties in the Book of Ezekiel. The Talmud (Shabbos 13b) relates that if not for Chananiah ben Chizkiyahu, the book of Ezekiel would have been hidden away, for its words seem to contradict the Torah. What did he do? 300 barrels of oil (for his lamp) were taken to his chamber, where he sat until he resolved the contradictions. We know neither the problems
which he dealt with, nor the solutions, but it is not unlikely that your question was among them.
Another example comes from Tractate Menachos 45a, when Rabbi Yochanan notes the discrepancy of the sacrifices listed in Ezekiel 45:18 with the laws of sacrifice found in the Torah. With the eternal and immutable Torah on one hand and the word of God’s true prophet, both Divine sources, on the other he realizes the ‘discrepancies’ are a product of his own lack of knowledge. His humble response : “These passages will be elucidated by the prophet Elijah.”
In the meanwhile, you deserve a practical answer and two great commentators in particular offer a practical approach. Rashi, generally known for his strict adherence to the simple meaning of the verse, interprets the verses in accordance with the Law as we know it, even when it diverges from the simple meaning and requires aggadic exegesis. There is precedent to this in other Scripture where our Sages have specifically stated that certain verses are solely to be understood as vehicles of aggadic exegesis. So too here, simple meaning that contradicts
the Torah cannot be understood as the prophet’s message.
Radak, on the other hand, deals with the simple meaning of the verses despite apparent contradictions. Never does he suggest that a law will be eliminated from the Torah. Rather, he understands that the drastically higher level of spiritual awareness of the Messianic era will be reflected in elevated standards.
Unfortunately, the scope of this discussion is too broad for this forum, and I have just barely scratched the surface. Still, I hope that this information has been useful to you and that you will continue your search for deeper understanding. I highly recommend the Artscroll Tanach Series of Ezekiel, translated and commented upon by Rabbi Moshe Eisemann, for a more thorough and exhaustive explanation.
Sincerely,
R’ Daniel Fleksher