VAYIKRA

29 Mar 2009

Leviticus 1:1-6:7(5:26)

Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Hebrews 10:1-18

In describing this portion, we note the following:

Vayikra/Leviticus is devoted to the worship of the redeemed people of G-d, as is shown by the frequent occurrence of words relating to holiness and sacrifice. In the Hebrew Bible this book is called by its first word, Vayikra, meaning and he called. The English title Leviticus, from the Septuagint, is based on the name of Levi, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel (Gen 46:1-27).

The vocabulary of sacrifice pervades the book: the words “priest,” “sacrifice,” “blood,” and “offering” occur very frequently; and “kodesh,” translated “holy” or “holiness,” appears more than 150 times. Also, the repeated command, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” is a theme (11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7,26).

Leviticus may be divided as follows:

I. The Offerings, chapters 1-7

II. Consecration of Aaron and His Sons, chapters 8-10

III. Laws of Cleanliness and Holiness, chapters 11-15; 17-22

IV. The Day of Atonement, chapter 16

V. Laws Regulating the Personal Relationships of the Redeemed People, chapters 18-20

VI. Laws Regulating the Priesthood and the Seven Great Feasts of the Hebrew Calendar, chapters 21-23

VII. Additional Laws, Promises and Warnings, chapters 24-27

Parashot which are read each week are meant to prepare us to come into the presence of G-d. We just finished the book of Exodus, Parasha Hachodesh. This is read the Sabbath before the month of Nissan.

Having two more Shabbats before Pesach we will be reading in two weeks Shabbat Ha HaGadol (the Great Sabbath) before Pesach (which is on Wednesday evening the eight of April the 14^th of Nissan). In Egypt, this was the day when the Jewish people took the sheep that they would bring as their Pesach offering.

Malachi 3:4-24 urges G-d’s people to trust in Him. Also included is the reading to bring all the tithes for the windows of Heaven to open. Being charitable to G-d’s work and His people are emphasized.

We have to purge ourselves as we remember what G-d has done. Trust in Him and have no doubts that this world system can only bring devastation unto us.

Remember, He is our Passover Lamb. He established the New Covenant, placing what G-d gave our people at Mt. Sinai into our hearts. He also made us, who were impure, into pure vessels, a holy people, a royal priesthood, representing Him on Earth (2Cor 5:21). For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of G-d in Him.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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