Rabbi's Drash

Vayikra

( He called  )

5769

1:1-5:26
 

We are just beginning the third book in Ha Sefer Torah, Vayikra. It is also known by our Rabbis as ha Sefer Cohanim, because it is the Book of Holiness and Sacrifices, outlining the duties of the cohanim (priests) under the supervision of Aaron. All his descendants would be Cohanim. In the Greek world, it is known as Leviticus, the term utilized to describe the tribe which G-d would use to begin the line of Levitical Priesthood of Israel. This is the Book which gives the reason for the coming of our Messiah Yeshua, and why he did what he did. Without this Book it would be very difficult to explain the efficacy of Yeshua as our Korban. The words Korban and Kapparah come from the root word kerev brk carry the idea "to come near", "to get closer" or "to approach" the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Yaacov. Without the sacrifices we could not draw close to G-d and without understanding the death of an innocent in the place of the guilty party, we could never understand G-d's deep love for us. This Parashah begins with the word Vayikra (He called), which according to our sages, can be understood as an invitation instead of an order. The initial letter "Vav" indicates continuity and is pointing us to the fact that it is continuing from the end of the Ha Sefer Shemot (Exodus). In Shemot, G-d was speaking to Moshe from Har Sinai, but here He is speaking from the Mishkan. The ending of the first word is an Aleph Zeira (small a), and not a Rabati (large). Our sages explain that it was written this way because Rabbenu Moshe was so humble that he did not want to bring any attention to himself. We are going to see the five different types of sacrifices in this Parashah: Olah, (acknowledgement of G-d's Power and Presence), Hatta (for sin), Minhah (oblation dried offerings), Shelamin, (peace offering, thanksgiving to G-d) Asham, (guilt offering, from the word Shemama meaning desolation). Each one plays a very important role in the lives of the benei (sons of) Israel. The sacrifices are a most gruesome picture of the cost of our sins and the graphic demonstration that is neither cheap nor easy. The cost is so great that there is no human being who can pay it even if it is with his own life. This book is utilized to initiate our children into the teaching of the Torah . "Rav Asi asks in Midrash Rabba: Why do we start with this Sefer and not with Bereshit (Genesis)? Our blessed Holy One said: because the children are pure, and the sacrifices are pure, then come the pure ones to learn about purity (the sacrifices)". Rabbi Shelemo Ephraim of Luntzich in his Perush Keli Yakar adds this as the reason why the aleph of the first word of this book is small- because the children, who are small, began with the study of this book. The practical aspect of this Parashah is the beginning of the sacrifices and an indication that we need to begin with the Cohanim, the first ones who need to become clean before G-d before they can intercede for their people. The word "Cohen", which is translated as priest, in French as "Sacrificateur", has the understanding of being the link (intermediary between G-d and man). In this Book we are going to see the sacrifice of our Messiah for us with even more clarity and how he fulfilled all the conditions of being our true Mediator and the Sacrifice without blemish. As a final note, every morning and every afternoon, one unblemished lamb was offered in the Temple for the entire B'nei Israel, which would come out of the half shekel required for the temple tax. In this way no one could say that because was poor he could not afford it. This sacrifice was a picture of that future perfect sacrifice which would be without personal cost to us, but an immeasurable cost to G-d Himself. May we stop and realize just how valuable we are in G-d's eyes to make such a sacrifice for you and me…and may we humbly give Him thanks.    May G-d add blessings to His Word!      Rabbi Percy Johnson      Netanel ben Yochanan      [nxy [b lantn      © 2008 Use by Permission      Kehilat She’ar Yashuv

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