March 23, 2009

• Study of Parshah Vayikra – Leviticus 1:1-5:26

  Parshah Vayikra – Leviticus 1:1-5:26  (This is a link to the post that has the scripture….If you want to read it from your bible and are not using a Jewish one Kjv and many other “English versions” moved the Chapter placement from where is in the Jewish Torah and this would be Leviticus 1:1 – 6:7. )

  When we break a law, there is a penalty. When we break HaShem’s laws, it is called sin (1 John 3:4); our sin separates us from HaShem, and we become at odds with him. If we persist in sin, we become his enemy. To become HaShem’s friend, the penalty for the sins we have committed must be paid, and then we must turn from our sins.

  The Hebrew word for “sacrifices” is korbanot, which actually derives its meaning from the root “to bring close.”

  If one wishes to present a bull, goat or sheep, there are certain prerequisites:  any animal offered must be without blemish, which means that only healthy and normal animals were fit for sacrifice.  After slaughter, Aaron and his sons will sprinkle around and on the altar the blood of a complete burnt offering; the animal is then skinned and cut into pieces; and finally the entire animal is to be burned on the altar.  (Lev. 1:5-9)

  When it is a bird.  It must be a young pigeon or an adult turtledove, both of which are close to each other in size.  The process of killing and preparing a bird is different than all other animals, but they too were burnt completely on the altar.  (Lev. 1:14-17)  The explanation of bird sacrifice was so that the poor worshiper could have the opportunity to bring forth Olah to God.

  Minchah or Meal Offering.  In other parts of the Torah, this word has been used for “gift”, “tribute” and “sacrifice”.  In Leviticus, however, it refers to an offering prepared from grain.  We learn of the azkara, which comes from the root meaning, “remember, take thought of.”  When one wished to make minchah they must bring it to Aaron’s sons.  It must be only choice flour, covered in oil and then frankincense.  The priest will then take the azkara from this flour offering, “and this portion he shall turn into smoke on the altar, as an offering by fire, of pleasing odor to the Lord.”  (Lev. 2:2)  The rest of the flour is put aside to be eaten by the priests, as God has commanded.  Other flour offerings explained in this portion include unleavened cakes, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and unleavened pancakes.  None of the flour offerings were to be made of leaven, and each of these were to be offered with salt.
  (Lev. 2:11)

  Chatat is a sin offering brought by one who has unwittingly sinned and it remained unknown for a period of time.  If the anointed priest committed the sin, the blame would also fall among the people of Israel.  A young, unblemished bull would be slaughtered; the priest would dip his finger into the blood and enter the Tent of Meeting; he would then sprinkle the blood seven times in front of the curtain of the Shrine (unlike all other sacrifices, which had their blood dashed).  All of the fat of the animal was to be removed by the priest and burned on the altar.  However, “all the rest of the bull he shall carry to a clean place outside the camp, to the ash heap, and burn it up with wood,”  (Lev. 4:12)  If the sin was on behalf of the entire community, the exact same ritual was performed.

  The parasha ends with a description of four specific instances that would require a sin offering of chatat, and a discussion of Asham, known as a guilt offering, which was a lamb or a baby female goat.  The actual sacrifice process is similar to others, except that the type of animal used is very specific.  The first example of Asham given deals with a serious offense, whether committed knowingly or not:  “When a person commits a trespass, being unwittingly remiss about any of the Lord’s sacred things,”  (Lev. 5:15)  This refers to misuse of food, money or other objects of the sanctuary.  There is an entire section of the Mishnah and Talmud devoted to these lines in Leviticus, dealing with “trespass.”  The meal offering for the poor who cannot afford a lamb or goat, laws of the ‘questionable guilt’ offering and offerings for dishonesty are detailed in the closing of this chapter.

  Please read 1 John 1:7–2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; and Hebrews 9:28. Have you repented lately? How often do you repent? Daily, weekly, monthly, or never? Passover is rapidly approaching. Are you ready to renew your spiritual and covenant commitments to Yeshua as a clean and pure vessel before him? Now is the time to take stock of your life as you prepare to renew your marriage vows with Yeshua at the upcoming Passover meal.

  Shalom

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