Leviticus 1:1-5:26: VaYikra |
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Leviticus 1: VaYikra
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s.1
[Leviticus 1:1] AND THE LORD CALLED UNTO MOSES, AND SPAKE UNTO HIM OUT OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, SAYING,
In the book of Leviticus (VaYikra in Hebrew after the name of the first Parasha) we deal a lot with sacrifices etc.
In our Brit-Am Commentary we will be using the technique of "Derash" a lot.
"Derash" in Hebrew connotes "searching, seeking out, etc." As a method of Biblical Interpretation (exegesis) it consists of learning that is true in itself but is not necessarily the simple meaning of the verses.
"Derash" does not mean that we are contradicting the simple meaning but rather learning something in addition to it.
CALLED. S.R. Hirsch points out that God call s to man from outside of him.
The Presence of God can on some occasions be felt amongst men but God is exterior to man. We cannot define God nor can we expect HIM to perform according to our standards.
HE defines us. We do not define HIM.
[Leviticus 1:2] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, IF ANY MAN OF YOU BRING AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD, YE SHALL BRING YOUR OFFERING OF THE CATTLE, EVEN OF THE HERD, AND OF THE FLOCK.
#ANY MAN OF YOU BRING AN OFFERING#. In Hebrew "Adam [man] ci [that] Yakriv [sacrifices]". A man is somebody who sacrifices. A man in Hebrew "adam", in Yiddish a "mentsch", in other words someone who strives to be somebody, who respects himself, and fulfils his task in this world, who becomes "a man", a real person. Such a person must be prepared to sacrifice something of himself. Not to give in to lower impulses, not to take advantage of those who are vulnerable, to hold himself back, to respect himself.
[Leviticus 1:3] IF HIS OFFERING BE A BURNT SACRIFICE OF THE HERD, LET HIM OFFER A MALE WITHOUT BLEMISH: HE SHALL OFFER IT OF HIS OWN VOLUNTARY WILL AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION BEFORE THE LORD.
[Leviticus 1:4] AND HE SHALL PUT HIS HAND UPON THE HEAD OF THE BURNT OFFERING; AND IT SHALL BE ACCEPTED FOR HIM TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIM.
[Leviticus 1:5] AND HE SHALL KILL THE BULLOCK BEFORE THE LORD: AND THE PRIESTS, AARON'S SONS, SHALL BRING THE BLOOD, AND SPRINKLE THE BLOOD ROUND ABOUT UPON THE ALTAR THAT IS BY THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Leviticus 1:6] AND HE SHALL FLAY THE BURNT OFFERING, AND CUT IT INTO HIS PIECES.
[Leviticus 1:7] AND THE SONS OF AARON THE PRIEST SHALL PUT FIRE UPON THE ALTAR, AND LAY THE WOOD IN ORDER UPON THE FIRE:
[Leviticus 1:8] AND THE PRIESTS, AARON'S SONS, SHALL LAY THE PARTS, THE HEAD, AND THE FAT, IN ORDER UPON THE WOOD THAT IS ON THE FIRE WHICH IS UPON THE ALTAR:
[Leviticus 1:9] BUT HIS INWARDS AND HIS LEGS SHALL HE WASH IN WATER: AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN ALL ON THE ALTAR, TO BE A BURNT SACRIFICE, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
#A SWEET SAVOUR# Hebrew : "raich nicoach" understood to mean a sweet scent that reflects back on those making the offering enabling them to reach a higher level.
The whole thing about the sacrifices is that we must do the will of God.
As we do HIS will so too in other aspects of our lives will things go correctly as they should do.
[Leviticus 1:10] AND IF HIS OFFERING BE OF THE FLOCKS, NAMELY, OF THE SHEEP, OR OF THE GOATS, FOR A BURNT SACRIFICE; HE SHALL BRING IT A MALE WITHOUT BLEMISH.
[Leviticus 1:11] AND HE SHALL KILL IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ALTAR NORTHWARD BEFORE THE LORD: AND THE PRIESTS, AARON'S SONS, SHALL SPRINKLE HIS BLOOD ROUND ABOUT UPON THE ALTAR.
##SHALL KILL IT## Hebrew "ve-[and]Shechat" i.e. ritually kill. Religious Jews only eat meat that has been ritually slaughtered. This is done with extremely well-sharpened knives and a cutting of the throat. It is done in such a way as to cause minimal pain to the animal and to enable a maximum amount of blood to spurt out. Jewish slaughtering and preparing of meat is healthier and cleanlier. Many non-Jews prefer to eat ritually prepared Jewish "Kosher" meat for health reasons.
[Leviticus 1:12] AND HE SHALL CUT IT INTO HIS PIECES, WITH HIS HEAD AND HIS FAT: AND THE PRIEST SHALL LAY THEM IN ORDER ON THE WOOD THAT IS ON THE FIRE WHICH IS UPON THE ALTAR:
[Leviticus 1:13] BUT HE SHALL WASH THE INWARDS AND THE LEGS WITH WATER: AND THE PRIEST SHALL BRING IT ALL, AND BURN IT UPON THE ALTAR: IT IS A BURNT SACRIFICE, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
s.2
[Leviticus 1:14] AND IF THE BURNT SACRIFICE FOR HIS OFFERING TO THE LORD BE OF FOWLS, THEN HE SHALL BRING HIS OFFERING OF TURTLEDOVES, OR OF YOUNG PIGEONS.
[Leviticus 1:15] AND THE PRIEST SHALL BRING IT UNTO THE ALTAR, AND WRING OFF HIS HEAD, AND BURN IT ON THE ALTAR; AND THE BLOOD THEREOF SHALL BE WRUNG OUT AT THE SIDE OF THE ALTAR:
The pigeon had his head wrung off.
It was not ritually slaughtered.
It seems that according to the strict letter of the Bible fowl (pigeons, chickens, etc) that can be eaten.
[Certain birds can be eaten while others are forbidden.] may be killed for eating without being ritually slaughtered with a special knife etc. The Rabbis however decreed that fowl should also only be eaten after being ritually slaughtered. One of the reasons was that it is much easier to declare all animal life that must be killed and eaten to require ritual slaughter. Also in Deuteronomy ch.17 the Rabbis are given authority to make such decrees.
[Leviticus 1:16] AND HE SHALL PLUCK AWAY HIS CROP WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND CAST IT BESIDE THE ALTAR ON THE EAST PART, BY THE PLACE OF THE ASHES:
[Leviticus 1:17] AND HE SHALL CLEAVE IT WITH THE WINGS THEREOF, BUT SHALL NOT DIVIDE IT ASUNDER: AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN IT UPON THE ALTAR, UPON THE WOOD THAT IS UPON THE FIRE: IT IS A BURNT SACRIFICE, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
[Leviticus 2:1] AND WHEN ANY WILL OFFER A MEAL OFFERING UNTO THE LORD, HIS OFFERING SHALL BE OF FINE FLOUR; AND HE SHALL POUR OIL UPON IT, AND PUT FRANKINCENSE THEREON:
Rabbi Kook said that when the Third Temple will be built they will no longer have animal sacrifices. They will have continue to offer up meal offerings.
[Leviticus 2:2] AND HE SHALL BRING IT TO AARON'S SONS THE PRIESTS: AND HE SHALL TAKE THEREOUT HIS HANDFUL OF THE FLOUR THEREOF, AND OF THE OIL THEREOF, WITH ALL THE FRANKINCENSE THEREOF; AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN THE MEMORIAL OF IT UPON THE ALTAR, TO BE AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD:
[Leviticus 2:3] AND THE REMNANT OF THE MEAT OFFERING SHALL BE AARON'S AND HIS SONS': IT IS A THING MOST HOLY OF THE OFFERINGS OF THE LORD MADE BY FIRE.
[Leviticus 2:4] AND IF THOU BRING AN OBLATION OF A MEAT OFFERING BAKEN IN THE OVEN, IT SHALL BE UNLEAVENED CAKES OF FINE FLOUR MINGLED WITH OIL, OR UNLEAVENED WAFERS ANOINTED WITH OIL.
[Leviticus 2:5] AND IF THY OBLATION BE A MEAT OFFERING BAKEN IN A PAN, IT SHALL BE OF FINE FLOUR UNLEAVENED, MINGLED WITH OIL.
[Leviticus 2:6] THOU SHALT PART IT IN PIECES, AND POUR OIL THEREON: IT IS A MEAT OFFERING.
s.3
[Leviticus 2:7] AND IF THY OBLATION BE A MEAL OFFERING BAKEN IN THE FRYINGPAN, IT SHALL BE MADE OF FINE FLOUR WITH OIL.
[Leviticus 2:8] AND THOU SHALT BRING THE MEAT OFFERING THAT IS MADE OF THESE THINGS UNTO THE LORD: AND WHEN IT IS PRESENTED UNTO THE PRIEST, HE SHALL BRING IT UNTO THE ALTAR.
S.R. Hirsch says that this meal offering of fine flour was laid at the feet of the priest who raises it up. It represents the material possessions of a man as if one were saying that everything you have you will dedicate to God. You will use whatever you have in the service of God. You will try to make your life a service to the Almighty.
[Leviticus 2:9] AND THE PRIEST SHALL TAKE FROM THE MEAT OFFERING A MEMORIAL THEREOF, AND SHALL BURN IT UPON THE ALTAR: IT IS AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
[Leviticus 2:10] AND THAT WHICH IS LEFT OF THE MEAT OFFERING SHALL BE AARON'S AND HIS SONS': IT IS A THING MOST HOLY OF THE OFFERINGS OF THE LORD MADE BY FIRE.
[Leviticus 2:11] NO MEAT OFFERING, WHICH YE SHALL BRING UNTO THE LORD, SHALL BE MADE WITH LEAVEN: FOR YE SHALL BURN NO LEAVEN, NOR ANY HONEY, IN ANY OFFERING OF THE LORD MADE BY FIRE.
[Leviticus 2:12] AS FOR THE OBLATION OF THE FIRSTFRUITS, YE SHALL OFFER THEM UNTO THE LORD: BUT THEY SHALL NOT BE BURNT ON THE ALTAR FOR A SWEET SAVOUR.
[Leviticus 2:13] AND EVERY OBLATION OF THY MEAT OFFERING SHALT THOU SEASON WITH SALT; NEITHER SHALT THOU SUFFER THE SALT OF THE COVENANT OF THY GOD TO BE LACKING FROM THY MEAT OFFERING: WITH ALL THINE OFFERINGS THOU SHALT OFFER SALT.
[Leviticus 2:14] AND IF THOU OFFER A MEAT OFFERING OF THY FIRST FRUITS UNTO THE LORD, THOU SHALT OFFER FOR THE MEAT OFFERING OF THY FIRST FRUITS GREEN EARS OF CORN DRIED BY THE FIRE, EVEN CORN BEATEN OUT OF FULL EARS.
[Leviticus 2:15] AND THOU SHALT PUT OIL UPON IT, AND LAY FRANKINCENSE THEREON: IT IS A MEAT OFFERING.
[Leviticus 2:16] AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN THE MEMORIAL OF IT, PART OF THE BEATEN CORN THEREOF, AND PART OF THE OIL THEREOF, WITH ALL THE FRANKINCENSE THEREOF: IT IS AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD.
s.4
[Leviticus 3:1] AND IF HIS OBLATION BE A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERING, IF HE OFFER IT OF THE HERD; WHETHER IT BE A MALE OR FEMALE, HE SHALL OFFER IT WITHOUT BLEMISH BEFORE THE LORD.
#A SACRIFICE OF PEACE# In Hebrew "shlamim" which is plural from the root "shalem" connoting whole, healthy, as well as peace. It also can mean "payment" or "re-payment" from the root "shalem" (Rashbam) as if a person made this offering to repay the Almighty for the goodness they had received.
Part of this offering was burnt upon the altar and part when to the people making the sacrifice and their family and friends. It had to be eaten in Jerusalem, It expressed the feeling of wholeness a person had. Part of it was burnt up on the altar i.e. went straight to the Almighty as if to say, the priests got part, and the owners got most of it but everybody got something.
[Leviticus 3:2] AND HE SHALL LAY HIS HAND UPON THE HEAD OF HIS OFFERING, AND KILL IT AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND AARON'S SONS THE PRIESTS SHALL SPRINKLE THE BLOOD UPON THE ALTAR ROUND ABOUT.
[Leviticus 3:3] AND HE SHALL OFFER OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE PEACE OFFERING AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD; THE FAT THAT COVERETH THE INWARDS, AND ALL THE FAT THAT IS UPON THE INWARDS,
[Leviticus 3:4] AND THE TWO KIDNEYS, AND THE FAT THAT IS ON THEM, WHICH IS BY THE FLANKS, AND THE CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER, WITH THE KIDNEYS, IT SHALL HE TAKE AWAY.
[Leviticus 3:5] AND AARON'S SONS SHALL BURN IT ON THE ALTAR UPON THE BURNT SACRIFICE, WHICH IS UPON THE WOOD THAT IS ON THE FIRE: IT IS AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
[Leviticus 3:6] AND IF HIS OFFERING FOR A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERING UNTO THE LORD BE OF THE FLOCK; MALE OR FEMALE, HE SHALL OFFER IT WITHOUT BLEMISH.
[Leviticus 3:7] IF HE OFFER A LAMB FOR HIS OFFERING, THEN SHALL HE OFFER IT BEFORE THE LORD.
[Leviticus 3:8] AND HE SHALL LAY HIS HAND UPON THE HEAD OF HIS OFFERING, AND KILL IT BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND AARON'S SONS SHALL SPRINKLE THE BLOOD THEREOF ROUND ABOUT UPON THE ALTAR.
[Leviticus 3:9] AND HE SHALL OFFER OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE PEACE OFFERING AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD; THE FAT THEREOF, AND THE WHOLE RUMP, IT SHALL HE TAKE OFF HARD BY THE BACKBONE; AND THE FAT THAT COVERETH THE INWARDS, AND ALL THE FAT THAT IS UPON THE INWARDS,
[Leviticus 3:10] AND THE TWO KIDNEYS, AND THE FAT THAT IS UPON THEM, WHICH IS BY THE FLANKS, AND THE CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER, WITH THE KIDNEYS, IT SHALL HE TAKE AWAY.
[Leviticus 3:11] AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN IT UPON THE ALTAR: IT IS THE FOOD OF THE OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD.
[Leviticus 3:12] AND IF HIS OFFERING BE A GOAT, THEN HE SHALL OFFER IT BEFORE THE LORD.
[Leviticus 3:13] AND HE SHALL LAY HIS HAND UPON THE HEAD OF IT, AND KILL IT BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND THE SONS OF AARON SHALL SPRINKLE THE BLOOD THEREOF UPON THE ALTAR ROUND ABOUT.
[Leviticus 3:14] AND HE SHALL OFFER THEREOF HIS OFFERING, EVEN AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD; THE FAT THAT COVERETH THE INWARDS, AND ALL THE FAT THAT IS UPON THE INWARDS,
[Leviticus 3:15] AND THE TWO KIDNEYS, AND THE FAT THAT IS UPON THEM, WHICH IS BY THE FLANKS, AND THE CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER, WITH THE KIDNEYS, IT SHALL HE TAKE AWAY.
[Leviticus 3:16] AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN THEM UPON THE ALTAR: IT IS THE FOOD OF THE OFFERING MADE BY FIRE FOR A SWEET SAVOUR: ALL THE FAT IS THE LORD'S.
[Leviticus 3:17] IT SHALL BE A PERPETUAL STATUTE FOR YOUR GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT ALL YOUR DWELLINGS, THAT YE EAT NEITHER FAT NOR BLOOD.
Fat and blood mentioned here means lard and those blood and fat portions of the animal that are not part of the meat that is eaten. In Jewish law the animal is ritually slaughtered all the excess blood is drained away the excess far is cut off and the meat is soaked, salted, and washed to get rid of as much blood as possible. What remains is considered part of the meat and permitted to eat. This is all based on traditions that existed from the very beginning i.e. from the time of Moses.
For wild animals such as deer that are not sacrificed on the altar it is permitted to eat the lard and fat but forbidden to eat their blood like regular animals.
s.5
[Leviticus 4:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Leviticus 4:2] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, IF A SOUL SHALL SIN THROUGH IGNORANCE AGAINST ANY OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD CONCERNING THINGS WHICH OUGHT NOT TO BE DONE, AND SHALL DO AGAINST ANY OF THEM:
SOUL in Hebrew "nefesh".
Strictly speaking the word for soul is "neshama".
"nefesh" really means the psyche, the mind, personality, etc.
Those who deal with mystical matters in the Bible such as the Kabbalist say that the soul has different levels.
The "nefesh" is the lowest level while the neshama is higher and there are other levels above that.
Through developing spiritually a person can raise themselves up and advance from a "nefesh" level to a "neshama" level.
[Leviticus 4:3] IF THE PRIEST THAT IS ANOINTED DO SIN ACCORDING TO THE SIN OF THE PEOPLE; THEN LET HIM BRING FOR HIS SIN, WHICH HE HATH SINNED, A YOUNG BULLOCK WITHOUT BLEMISH UNTO THE LORD FOR A SIN OFFERING.
[Leviticus 4:4] AND HE SHALL BRING THE BULLOCK UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION BEFORE THE LORD; AND SHALL LAY HIS HAND UPON THE BULLOCK'S HEAD, AND KILL THE BULLOCK BEFORE THE LORD.
[Leviticus 4:5] AND THE PRIEST THAT IS ANOINTED SHALL TAKE OF THE BULLOCK'S BLOOD, AND BRING IT TO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION:
[Leviticus 4:6] AND THE PRIEST SHALL DIP HIS FINGER IN THE BLOOD, AND SPRINKLE OF THE BLOOD SEVEN TIMES BEFORE THE LORD, BEFORE THE VAIL OF THE SANCTUARY.
[Leviticus 4:7] AND THE PRIEST SHALL PUT SOME OF THE BLOOD UPON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR OF SWEET INCENSE BEFORE THE LORD, WHICH IS IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION; AND SHALL POUR ALL THE BLOOD OF THE BULLOCK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ALTAR OF THE BURNT OFFERING, WHICH IS AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Leviticus 4:8] AND HE SHALL TAKE OFF FROM IT ALL THE FAT OF THE BULLOCK FOR THE SIN OFFERING; THE FAT THAT COVERETH THE INWARDS, AND ALL THE FAT THAT IS UPON THE INWARDS,
[Leviticus 4:9] AND THE TWO KIDNEYS, AND THE FAT THAT IS UPON THEM, WHICH IS BY THE FLANKS, AND THE CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER, WITH THE KIDNEYS, IT SHALL HE TAKE AWAY,
[Leviticus 4:10] AS IT WAS TAKEN OFF FROM THE BULLOCK OF THE SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERINGS: AND THE PRIEST SHALL BURN THEM UPON THE ALTAR OF THE BURNT OFFERING.
[Leviticus 4:11] AND THE SKIN OF THE BULLOCK, AND ALL HIS FLESH, WITH HIS HEAD, AND WITH HIS LEGS, AND HIS INWARDS, AND HIS DUNG,
[Leviticus 4:12] EVEN THE WHOLE BULLOCK SHALL HE CARRY FORTH WITHOUT THE CAMP UNTO A CLEAN PLACE, WHERE THE ASHES ARE POURED OUT, AND BURN HIM ON THE WOOD WITH FIRE: WHERE THE ASHES ARE POURED OUT SHALL HE BE BURNT.
[Leviticus 4:13] AND IF THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL SIN THROUGH IGNORANCE, AND THE THING BE HID FROM THE EYES OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THEY HAVE DONE SOMEWHAT AGAINST ANY OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD CONCERNING THINGS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE DONE, AND ARE GUILTY;
[Leviticus 4:14] WHEN THE SIN, WHICH THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST IT, IS KNOWN, THEN THE CONGREGATION SHALL OFFER A YOUNG BULLOCK FOR THE SIN, AND BRING HIM BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Leviticus 4:15] AND THE ELDERS OF THE CONGREGATION SHALL LAY THEIR HANDS UPON THE HEAD OF THE BULLOCK BEFORE THE LORD: AND THE BULLOCK SHALL BE KILLED BEFORE THE LORD.
[Leviticus 4:16] AND THE PRIEST THAT IS ANOINTED SHALL BRING OF THE BULLOCK'S BLOOD TO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION:
[Leviticus 4:17] AND THE PRIEST SHALL DIP HIS FINGER IN SOME OF THE BLOOD, AND SPRINKLE IT SEVEN TIMES BEFORE THE LORD, EVEN BEFORE THE VAIL.
[Leviticus 4:18] AND HE SHALL PUT SOME OF THE BLOOD UPON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR WHICH IS BEFORE THE LORD, THAT IS IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND SHALL POUR OUT ALL THE BLOOD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ALTAR OF THE BURNT OFFERING, WHICH IS AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Leviticus 4:19] AND HE SHALL TAKE ALL HIS FAT FROM HIM, AND BURN IT UPON THE ALTAR.
[Leviticus 4:20] AND HE SHALL DO WITH THE BULLOCK AS HE DID WITH THE BULLOCK FOR A SIN OFFERING, SO SHALL HE DO WITH THIS: AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THEM, AND IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN THEM.
[Leviticus 4:21] AND HE SHALL CARRY FORTH THE BULLOCK WITHOUT THE CAMP, AND BURN HIM AS HE BURNED THE FIRST BULLOCK: IT IS A SIN OFFERING FOR THE CONGREGATION.
[Leviticus 4:22] WHEN A RULER HATH SINNED, AND DONE SOMEWHAT THROUGH IGNORANCE AGAINST ANY OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD HIS GOD CONCERNING THINGS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE DONE, AND IS GUILTY;
