Bamidbar Perek Yud Tet

Here are some of Abravanel's questions and answers on Bamidbar Perek Yud Tet:

#2

Q: Why does this Torah not say "Vaya'asu Kein Bnei Yisrael Ka'asher Tzivah Hashem Otam BiYad Moshe" or "Vaya'as Kein Elazar Ka'asher Tzivah Eilav Moshe" or some other type of language that the Torah usually uses after commanding Bnei Yisrael to do a mitzvah like this?

A: This language is not used here because although the commandment is given here, the actual mitzvah is not performed. The mitzvah was performed years earlier and is only mentioned here to remind Moshe and Aharon that what they did with the Parah back then in what they should do in the future as well. 

Analysis: I think that this answer by the Abravanel is very pshat-based, and thus I find it to be compelling.

#4

Q: Why does the parah have to be female instead of male? If it is supposed to be an atonement for the sin of the Egel HaZahav, it should be male and not female. And why does it have to me a red cow? On Yom Kippur we have a cow that is supposed to atone for our sins and the color is not specified.

A: The cow is supposed to represent the nation and the nation is called a rebellious female cow, so therefore the Parah Adumah is female. The cow is red to symbolize the strength of Am Yisrael, like is stated in a verse in Shir HaShirim, which signifies that Bnei Yisrael will go on to conquer Eretz Yisrael. 

Analysis: Abravanel's approach here is fairly compelling based on the other sources he brings up to back up his positions.