Vayikra (called)
Lev.
1:1 - 5:26
Today, we begin the Book of Leviticus. Unlike Genesis and Exodus which
mostly consist of narrative, the third book of the Torah contains mostly
commandments. The Sages call the book, Torat Kohanim the laws for the
priests. Almost all of the laws in Leviticus have to do with issues pertaining
to the role of the priests, although there are several narrative sections.
Leviticus begins right after the presence of God is manifested in the
Tabernacle, at the conclusion of Exodus. Up until this point the narrative of
the Torah is about the call of Abraham and his family, the redemption of the
people out of
Vayikra
begins with a description of the burnt offering, grain offering and peace
offering. These are followed by sin offerings. For most people, the thought of
animal sacrifices as well as all of the rituals involved in the process seem
repulsive, barbaric, primitive and legalistic. However, at the heart of the
"sacrificial system" is a desire by both God and the people to be
drawn close to each other. Notice that the first three offerings are voluntary
offerings. These are brought by the people because they have a desire to come
close to God. In fact the Hebrew word for "offering" is Kahrban. The
root of this word means "to be close". When we think about the death
of Yeshua for our sins, we remember that it happened in order that we could be
drawn close to God permanently. We might say that the death of Messiah was a
"beautiful" act of redemption for us. However, the act itself was
heinous. It was disgusting. Just as the sacrifices of animals was a brutal act
of violence for the purpose of intimacy with God so was the death of Messiah.
But why such brutality? Why death? The answer lies in the nature of the need for
such acts. Man has sinned and sin is disgusting. Sin is heinous. It causes death
and destruction. The sacrifices in Leviticus and the death of Messiah must be
viewed from the perspective of God - that He greatly desires a close personal
relationship with man. Death is the cost of atonement.
It
is interesting to note that the word used for the offerer in chapter one is
"Adam". Typically, the word "ish" is used in
reference to a "man". "Adam" refers to mankind in general
and points back to the first man in the Garden of Eden named Adam. This teaches
us that God desires relationship with all people and it is a reminder that we
are all identified with the first man, Adam, in the sense that we all have
sinned and are in need of forgiveness. In Messiah Yeshua, Adam finds
forgiveness for sins and reconciliation with God. As we are entering the season
of Passover, may we contemplate on the "karhban" of Messiah, the Lamb
of God who died so we could live. Shabbat Shalom!