In the 1950s, Yehezkel Kaufmann challenged the regnant Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis that the Priestly Text was the final Pentateuchal source to be written, and that it dates to the Post-Exilic Period. One pillar of his argument is that the Priestly Text seems wholly ignorant of Deuteronomy’s 7th century B.C.E. law of centralization of worship, and thus dates to earlier in the First Temple period. And yet, a closer look at P’s laws shows that it is simply taking centralization for granted.I agree. Deuteronomy had to have Moses argue for one centralized sanctuary in Israel. P assumes a centralized sanctuary, in the guise of the Tabernacle in the time of Moses, but its nature makes best sense in a small community around Jerusalem. For example, in Leviticus 17:3-7 (contrast Deuteronomy 12:15) P requires all slaughtering of animals for meat to take place at the sanctuary. Practical for a local community, but not a national sanctuary.
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