Parashat Vayikra
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Synopsis
Parashat Vayikra is the first parashah from the book of Vayikra (Leviticus). It describes five different types of sacrifices to be offered in the mishkan. They are the olah (burnt offering); the minchah (meal offering); the zevach shelamim (sacrifice of well being); the chatat (sin offering); and the asham (guilt offering). The details of the sacrifices are included.
Themes
1) Sacrafice and Prayer
2) Sin and Guilt
Sacrafice and Prayer
Sacrifice and prayer, both forms of appreciation of God. The idea of a physical Sacrifice is something that is foreign to modern Jews as an expression of faith. Prayer for centuries has been the prominent way of showing one’s appreciation after all a prayer can be said anytime, anywhere and slaughtering a bull and pouring its blood on an altar isn’t exactly socially acceptable anymore. However don’t count out sacrifice just yet as it sees a resurgence amongst many young Jews but no longer does it involve the slaughter of beasts but the offering of time, energy and dedication to all manner of humanitarian and environmental causes, what better way to show appreciation for what you have.
Sin and Guilt
What is the nature of “sin” and what should we feel guilty for? Is it actions that count or the thoughts that created them? Many people pray or make sacrifices to assuage their feelings of guilt but is that what they’re for? At what point do you say that “sin” is just part of human nature? These are all questions that are almost impossible to answer but I do believe that it is important to always aspire to be as good a person as possible; always trying to do more. It’s not just in a religious or moral sense but the idea of trying to maximise your potential and not resting on inadequacies.
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