Parashat Va-yikra – 5785

04 April 2025

Week of 30 March – 05 April 2025

Torah portion : Lev. 1:1-5:26 ;   Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Theme: “The Burnt Offering (olah) (Lev. 1:1-17).”

Levitcus begins with Moses receiving “Va-yikra”⁽¹⁾, “He called” from God. Torat Kohanim “inscructions for the priest” (M Meg. 1:5). God then continues with instructions for Moses to convey to the people concerning offerings/sacrifices. The Hebrew word for an offering; korban, comes from the root krv to draw near or burnt offering (karban shruf /שרוף   קרבן).

The words spoken by the Lord offer profound blessings from the Creator, reminding us that we are not meant to navigate our lives alone. In Leviticus 1:1 (ETZ HAYIM p 585-587), we read, “The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting,” highlighting the importance of His communication with us. By establishing a specific space for this interaction, He demonstrates His deep love and care, ensuring that we have everything we need even before our creation. Rashi⁽³⁾ points out that this expression of affection parallels how angels communicate with each other, inviting us to recognize our intrinsic value in the eyes of the Lord.

     Additionally, the establishment of a designated place for communication underscores the Lord’s desire for a relationship with us, even during times when we may feel reluctant to engage. Rashi encourages us to share words that foster a calm state of mind, illustrating the importance of gently addressing our shortcomings—with ourselves and with our neighbors—while embracing our inherently good nature.

When we consider Leviticus 2:11 (Ibid p 590-592), which states, “Every grain offering that you present to the Lord shall be unleavened; you shall not burn any leaven or honey as an oblation to the Lord,” we encounter a valuable opportunity for reflection. Ramban⁽²⁾ suggests that this prohibition relates to the practices of idolaters, who had specific ways of offering their sacrifices. This distinction encourages us to adopt a thoughtful approach to what is sacred, prompting us to differentiate between the holy and the ordinary in our lives. By doing so, we can better understand our role in promoting goodness within ourselves and enhancing our interactions with others.

     The importance of bringing a sacrifice to God was integral to His desire for Israel to be His treasured people a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, serving as a light to all nations. The primary guideline for fulfilling this mission was the Ten Commandments. However, following the sin of the golden calf, a remedy was necessary to restore their relationship with God. (Ibid p 606)

     In response, God established a mechanism through which His people could atone for their transgressions via sacrifices. The name that signifies God’s attribute of mercy is consistently associated with these offerings. Different sacrifices were designated for various sins, but for an offering to be genuinely acceptable to God, the intention behind it needed to be pure and humble. Those making the sacrifice were required to feel remorseful and be committed to making any necessary changes to draw closer to God. They were to select a healthy animal without blemish as a substitute for themselves. Upon bringing the animal to the priest for sacrifice, they were to place their hand on its head, visualizing the sacrificial act as if it were being performed on their behalf.

For Reflection and Discussion: 1) How can I assess my level of humility and identify opportunities to enhance my studies and contribute more through good deeds? 2) Do we reflect on the motives behind our good deeds? Are they driven by personal satisfaction, or do we aspire to partake in a divine act?

Bibliography : ETZ HAYIM, Torah and Commentary:  The Rabbinical Assembly, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, 1999; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition (p. 110-144) ; ⁽³⁾https://www.sefaria.org.il/Rashi_on_Leviticus.1.1?lang=he ; ⁽¹⁾ https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Vayikra/vayikra.html ; ⁽²⁾ https://www.sefaria.org.il/Ramban_on_Leviticus.2.11?lang=he ;