What is the calculation "Shavu'im Shiv'im Nechtach"?
Rashi: Was decreed on Yerushalayim from the days of Tzidkiyah until [the end of] Bayis Sheni. This is 490 years 1 ? 70 of Galus Bavel and 420 of Bayis Sheni. Ibn Ezra - Bayis Sheni will be destroyed after the 490 years. However, you (Daniel) erred. You thought that the 70 years finished. Really, only 51 passed - "Ad Mashi'ach Nagid Shavu'im Shiv'ah" (25). (The verse counts only the seven full Shavu'os, and omits the extra two years.) Mashi'ach Nagid is Koresh ? "Ko Amar Hashem li'Mshicho l'Choresh." 2
Ibn Ezra: "Shavu'im Shiv'im" is from when Daniel prayed.
Malbim: Seventy years of Galus were decreed on Yisrael for transgressing 70 Shemitos ? "Az Tirtzeh ha'Aretz Es Shabsoseha." Presumably, when they transgressed Shemitah, they transgressed other matters as well, so there were 490 years of sin. The punishment for the other 420 years did not need to be Galus. They had other afflictions in Bayis Sheni- they were oppressed under Paras and Madai, Yavan and Romi 3 . Even though Rashi (Vayikra 26:35) calculated that the land rested also for Bitul Yovel (62 Shemitos and eight Yovelos in 436 years of sin), we need not say so. Surely R. Yehudah, who says that Yovel is among the 49 years, disagrees 4 ! Rashi counted years of sin between one Shofet and another, but not during a Shofet's rule. Verses say that [sometimes] they did not heed the Shofet! I say that the years of Bayis Sheni count towards Galus ? they lacked Nevi'im, Shechinah, Urim v'Tumim and kings from Beis David, and [most of] the exiles did not return. They were scattered more in Galus, like chronicles say! The punishment will be 490 years if they merit, and if not, our longer Galus.
Ibn Ezra citing Rav Sadya Gaon: Shavu'im are [sets of seven] years. A proof is, below (10:3) it says "Ad Melos Sheloshes Shavu'im Yamim", and it did not mention [here] with Yamim. This is like "Sheva Shabsos Shanim." Ibn Ezra ? this is correct, for it mentions "Chatzi ha'Shevu'a" (27); these are the 1290 days (12:11), like I will explain (refer to 9:27:2:1).
Ibn Ezra: How can the verse mix together years of Galus with years of Bayis Sheni? How will we explain "Lechalei ha'Pesha u'Lehasem Chata'os"? And how do we explain the remaining Shavu'a ? "v'Higbir Bris la'Rabim Shavu'a Echad" (27), after the 62 Shavu'im (26)? It should have mentioned that three Shavu'os remain (from the 70 years)! "Amar Hashem li'Mshicho l'Choresh" means that Hashem told His Navi to tell Koresh!
They were not oppressed all the years, e.g. after the Chashmona'im defeated Yavan! (PF)
I.e. according to him, there is an additional Shemitah in 436 years. I answer, perhaps he holds that some years of sin were partial years; Hashem did not punish for a partial year like a full year. Shemitas Karka applies in Yovel. Should the land not rest also for Bitul Yovelos? Will Malbim say that even when Yisrael sinned, they observed Yovel (e.g. amidst Simchah of land returning)?! (PF)
What is the meaning of "Lechalei ha'Pesha u'Lehasem Chata'os"?
Rashi: Yisrael will receive their final punishment in Galus Titus and servitude, in order to finish off their sins and "Limsho'ach Kodesh Kodoshim."
Ibn Ezra #1: It is not clear if all this is for praise, or detriment. In the Seifa, "Lechaper Avon v'Limsho'ach Kodesh Kodoshim" is for praise. However, "v'Lachtom Chazon v'Navi" is for detriment! We find "Ki Lo Shalem Avon ha'Emori" for detriment. The day of their fall and punishment did not come yet. This is like "Tam Avonecha" ? it is completed. Everything depends on context. "Lehavi Tzedek Olamim" is for praise. It says "v'Lachtom Chazon", for all Nevi'im prophesized about Bayis Sheni. I explain for praise. Daniel prayed that suffering the yoke of Galus should atone for our fathers' sin, and Hashem will vindicate them.
Malbim: Pesha is Bein Adam l'Chavero. Avon is sin via crooked intellect and denial. Chet is due to desire. All of these were during Bayis Rishon.
What is the meaning of "Lehavi Tzedek Olamim"?
Ibn Ezra #1: This is for praise.
Ibn Ezra #2: This is Tzedek's fall, like Bi'as Shemesh is setting of the sun.
Malbim: Had they repented, this would have brought the Ketz at the end of 490 years. The entire world would have recognized the true Emunah, and do proper Mishpat. Mahari says, because the future Ge'ulah will bring this, more time is needed than for the earlier exiles. They did not repent, and Galus darkened.
What is the meaning of "v'Lachtom Chazon v'Navi"?
Ibn Ezra #1: This is for praise.
Ibn Ezra #2: Nevi'im will cease, and also "Mashi'ach Kodesh Kodoshim." This is the beginning of Galus!
Malbim: Had they merited, the Nevu'os of all the Nevi'im for the future Ge'ulah would have been fulfilled. All are signed with the King's signet ? Emes. Also Nevu'ah would have returned ? "Eshpoch Es Ruchi? v'Nav'u."
What will be anointed Kodesh Kodoshim?
Rashi: The Aron, Mizbechos and Klei Kodesh that will come via Melech ha'Mashi'ach.
Malbim: This is Bayis Shelishi, which a Navi will anoint. Meshichah shows great Kedushah. Bayis Sheni was not anointed, for it lacked five [Kedushos of Bayis Rishon], and it was destined to be destroyed.
