|
|
Return
to D'var Torah Menu
VAYIKRA
(And he called)
20 Mar
2010
Leviticus
1:1-6:7 (5:26)
Isaiah
43:21-44:23
Hebrews
10:1-18
This
week’s Parasha begins the Book of Leviticus.
The Book
of Leviticus is located in the middle of the Torah, the third of the five
books. Written here is the central theme about the regulations of the
priesthood, just as Kefa (Peter) states in 1 Peter 2:9, we are a royal
priesthood, a chosen people, and His very own possession. Also, there is
the declaration that we must have a “holiness-code.” We must live
according to G-d’s laws, ethics, morals; a holy righteous life. Love is
the most important aspect of G-d. He declares in Leviticus 19:18 that we
must love our neighbor as ourself. Yeshua declares that alongside the
Sh’ma, this is the most important commandment of all (Mark 12:29-31).
We are
given commandments regarding the different offerings. All are important,
but one stands out, the ‘asham’, or guilt offering. This translates into
‘to fail in one’s duty’ or ‘to be negligent’ or ‘to become guilty.’ In
Isaiah 53 we read that G-d’s Servant, the Redeemer (Yeshua), the Suffering
Servant, was to be our ‘asham,’ an offering to atone for sin against G-d’s
holy law.
Shaul/Paul tells us that all have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:9).
However, G-d provides an offering for us, a ‘korban,’ which is the Hebrew
word for the verb ‘to bring near.’ This literally means: that which one
brings near to G-d.
During
Purim, we remembered G-d’s deliverance from our enemies. Now as we
approach Pesach, we must remember that our ‘asham,’ Messiah Yeshua,
rescued us from the angel of death and we have all become reconciled to
G-d (Hebrews 10:10-18). The most important response to His offering of
life, is to offer our lives as living sacrifices to our G-d (Romans 12:1).
Shavuah
Tov
Rabbi
Z.
Return
to D'var Torah Menu |