24 Vayikra (Part A) - He called - 1:1-5:26

About this episode

This episode discusses the significance of animal sacrifices in the context of atonement and the covenant relationship with God as outlined in Leviticus.

As I stated in a previous parashah, God's system of animal sacrifices, with their ability to cleanse or “wash” the flesh, was never intended to be a permanent one. Conversely, the animal sacrifices were not intended to be a “temporary fix” either. In fact the etymological background of the word Torah (the root word being an archery term meaning to “direct towards the goal”) also suggests that the fullest measure of HaShem’s atonement (Hebrew=kafar is usually translated “to atone,” “to cover over,” “make reconciliation,” “pacify,” “propitiate,” “purge.” ) was not found in the earthly copies, but rather, in the heavenly originals. Yet, during the time period of the TaNaKH, the animal sacrifices were authentically God's system. In other words, if you were a citizen of this community of former slaves, and you wanted to operate within a covenant relationship with its Savior, then you had no choice but to participate in the sacrificial system when approaching the Holy Tabernacle/Temple where God concentrated his Glory. There was no room for circumvention. Why would HaShem require exclusivity? Because, in his established order of things, only the blood could make atonement for their…

People in this episode

Host: Ariel ben-Lyman HaNaviy

Topics covered

• animal sacrifices
• atonement
• covenant relationship
• sacrificial system
• Holy Tabernacle
• spiritual cleansing

Keywords

• animal sacrifices
• atonement
• Torah
• Leviticus
• sacrificial system
• covenant
• spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Leviticus, TaNaKH, Torah