The Book of Vayikra is a detailed account of the sacrifices performed in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. For more than a thousand years, perhaps longer the Israelites worshiped God through sacrifice, of cattle, sheep, kosher birds, grain and oil. Today we worship in a completely different way, through words. It is an easy conceit to think that we are more advanced than our ancient ancestors, that prayer is a better form of worship than animal sacrifice, but perhaps that isn’t the case. Sacrificial animals had to be the best of the herd, “If your offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you shall make your offering a male without blemish.” (Leviticus 1:3). Sacrificial grain also had to be the best quality, “When a person presents an offering of meal to יהוה: The offering shall be of choice flour;” (Leviticus 2:1). Rashi notes that the grain offering was usually brought by the poor, while it was the wealthy herder who brought an animal. Whether rich or poor, the person had to bring their best property for sacrificial service. What do we bring to our worship? Do we sacrifice something of value? Do we bring the best of ourselves? Do we give a significant amount of time or money to the synagogue or to help those who are in need? The sacrificial service may seem crude or even barbaric to our eyes, but it taught our ancient ancestors to give the best of what they had in service to God. We should demand no less from ourselves than the Torah asked of them. What are we willing to give?
Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1-5:26, Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, March 12, 2022
March 11, 2022 by Dean Kertesz • Drashot
The Book of Vayikra is a detailed account of the sacrifices performed in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. For more than a thousand years, perhaps longer the Israelites worshiped God through sacrifice, of cattle, sheep, kosher birds, grain and oil. Today we worship in a completely different way, through words. It is an easy conceit to think that we are more advanced than our ancient ancestors, that prayer is a better form of worship than animal sacrifice, but perhaps that isn’t the case. Sacrificial animals had to be the best of the herd, “If your offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you shall make your offering a male without blemish.” (Leviticus 1:3). Sacrificial grain also had to be the best quality, “When a person presents an offering of meal to יהוה: The offering shall be of choice flour;” (Leviticus 2:1). Rashi notes that the grain offering was usually brought by the poor, while it was the wealthy herder who brought an animal. Whether rich or poor, the person had to bring their best property for sacrificial service. What do we bring to our worship? Do we sacrifice something of value? Do we bring the best of ourselves? Do we give a significant amount of time or money to the synagogue or to help those who are in need? The sacrificial service may seem crude or even barbaric to our eyes, but it taught our ancient ancestors to give the best of what they had in service to God. We should demand no less from ourselves than the Torah asked of them. What are we willing to give?
~Rabbi Dean Kertesz