Filed under: PARSHA VAYIKRA | Tags: ANIMAL SACRIFICES, corbonot, PARSHA VAYIKRA, secrets
PARSHA VAYIKRA – WHAT ARE ANIMAL SACRIFICES , HOW DO THEY WORK ?
Filed under: PARSHA VAYIKRA | Tags: ANIMAL SACRIFICES, corbonot, PARSHA VAYIKRA
WHAT ARE ANIMAL SACRIFICES , HOW DO THEY WORK ?
Filed under: ANIMAL SACRIFICES, corbonot, PARSHA VAYIKRA | Tags: PARSHA VAYIKRA
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Bs”d
Vayikra
The Chesed LaAvraham teaches that Vayikra has 172 chapters corresponding the 172 words in the 10 commandments. One who occupies in this part of the Torah has 172 blessings. It is like they have fulfilled all the commandments.
The two letters, Kof–Reish, in “VaYikra”, covered all the “Hassadim” (forces of God’s giving) in the letter Yod of “VaYikra”, which is Chesed, and froze all lights in the letter Aleph of VaYikra, which is Malchut. For this reason, all the Merkavot and vessels in Malchut were covered and Moses could not come to the tent of meeting. Of these two letters, Kof–Reish—which are the letters that stand in the middle of the word “VaYikra”—one covers the letter Aleph of “VaYikra”, and one covers the letter Yod of “VaYikra”.
This weeks parsha explains the ritual aspect of many “corbanot” (sacrifices) that are made in the Holy Temple, may it be rebuilt quickly in our days. The Ramba”m in the “Mishna Torah” says that all the sacrifices are included under the category of “Chukim”. “Chukim” are laws who’s understanding are beyond human comprehension. In our age of satellite and computer technology, many find it difficult to relate to the idea of animal sacrifices. Most people probably think the whole idea of animal sacrifices are primitive and even cruel. This is kind of strange when you think of it, because most of us eat meat ourselves. The sacrificial system does not fit into a Twenty-First Century mindset so comfortably. The idea of “corbonot” (animal sacrifices) in deed seems very strange for us in this generation, almost two thousand years after the Holy Temple was destroyed and the last “corbonot” were brought. Indeed the concept of “Korbonot” is a very lofty spiritual idea but we are just too removed from it, to appreciate it. “Real” contact with “corbonot” can be felt by reading the Neviim (Prophets, Shoftim, Shmuel, Melachim and the later prophets). Bringing “corbonot” for our ancestors was almost like praying for us. Know that “Corbonot” were brought together with prayer. We brought a “corbon” to achieve closeness to God. In this, “corbonot” are not any different from the other “mitzvot” (commandments). All commandments are given for this purpose. Parashat Vayikra lists the different types of sacrifices and the manner in which they are offered. The Torah first describes the voluntary sacrifices in one communication from God and only afterwards God reveals the obligatory ones in a separate communication. The first three chapters of Leviticus deal with the voluntary sacrifices, the “Olah”, “Minchah” and “Shelamim”. The following chapters deal with obligatory sacrifices, the sin and guilt offerings. The precedence of the voluntary sacrifices, according to our sages, shows that they are more desirable than the obligatory sacrifices. Its interesting to note in the Torah a new subject or category is introduced with the word כי – (WHEN). The sub-divisions of the general category or law will always be introduced with the word עם – (IF). (Examples are numerous, see Exodus chapters 21,22 and Leviticus 2:4-7).
Learning the “corbonot” now works like bringing them. As the Prophet Hoshia says “Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say to him: Forgive all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will we offer the words of our lips instead of calves.” (chapt 14) “corbonot” were brought from three types of animals bulls, sheep and goats, from two types of birds pigeons or doves there also were “corbonot” of flour from wheat or barley and of wine. There are five major types of korban (Sacrifice)
Chap 1 – OLAH : the burnt offering
Chap 2 – MINCHA : a flour offering
Chap 3 – SH’LAMIM : peace offering
4:1-5:13 – CHATAT : sin offering
5:14-5:26 – ASHAM : guilt offering
The first three chapters of Leviticus deal with the voluntary sacrifices, the olah, mincha and zevach shelamim. The following chapters deal with obligatory sacrifices, the sin and guilt offerings. The precedence of the voluntary sacrifices, according to our sages, shows that they are more desirable than the obligatory sacrifices. The olah precedes the shelamim to teach us that the fear and awe of God are primary in man’s relationship with God. An appreciation of the greatness and omnipotence of God is the first step in knowing God. One who loves God without fearing Him becomes attached to God without a proper regard for his greatness.
A burnt offering from the herd, is a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, for acceptance in his behalf before the Lord. He shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, that it may be acceptable in his behalf, in expiation for him. The “corban Olah” (Burnt offering) was completely burned on the Alter. “Burnt offering” is the English translation for the Hebrew word “Olah”. The English translation of the word “olah” is more of an interpretation than a translation. Rabbi Avraham ben Ezra, explains based on etymology, the meaning of the word itself, “olah” which means literally to rise up, referring to: “That the offering is brought to atone for thoughts which ARISE in one’s mind. Its to raise up the mind of the one bringing the sacrifice. . The Ibn Ezra suggests that the name “olah” stems from the root ‘Alah’ – to rise up as in the word ‘Aliya’. It was brought voluntarily to achieve atonement for the sin of evil thoughts. The burnt offering shall be flayed and cut up into sections. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and lay out wood upon the fire. and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall lay out the sections, with the head and the suet, on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar. Its entrails and legs shall be washed with water, and the priest shall turn the whole into smoke on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord.” (Leviticus 1:1-9) There were also types of obligatory “Olah” brought by individuals on holidays.. There was also community “Olah” brought twice daily and on Shabbot.
A peace offering If he offers it from the herd, can be from a male or a female animal, without blemish. He shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall dash the blood against all sides of the altar. He shall then present from the peace offering, as an offering by fire to the Lord, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is about the entrails; the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, that is at the loins; and the protuberance on the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys. Aaron’s sons shall turn these into smoke on the altar, with the burnt offering which is upon the wood that is on the fire, as an offering by fire, of pleasing odor to the Lord.”(3:1-5) “Shlamim” is from the word “shalom” (peace). Were brought voluntarily and most of it was eaten by the owner, his family and friends and whoever else was invited. The meat was eaten within the Jerusalem before the end of the next day. A small portion of the animal was given to Cohanim who could eat it with their families, The breast of the animal and its right thigh. In a peace offering only the fat of the entrails, the kidneys and their fat, and the protuberance on the liver are offered. The breast of the animal and its right thigh are given to the ‘kohanim’ (7:31,32), and the remaining flesh of the animal is eaten by the offerer of the sacrifice (7:15) A Peaceful offering is a feast of meat, a shared meal, a banquet between people who are expressing their friendship and peace between them and God . “Corban Todah” (Thanksgiving offering). Is a type of “Shlamim” brought for when one traveled in the sea, crossed deserts, people who were sick and recovered and the ones that were imprisoned and released. These four all brought a “Corban Todah”
It is brought with 40 breads of 4 types of ten loafs each. 3 of breads were of different types of “matza” and the last kind is “chametz” (leavened). The amount of “chametz” bread is the same as for all of “matza” breads since each loaf of “chametz” is three times as big as a “matza” bread.
“Chatat” (Sin offering) and “Asham” were “corbonot” for various sins. These “corbonot” were eaten only by Cohanim. “Chatat” was generally brought when a person accidentally broke a commandment, which has a penalty of “Corait” (spiritually being cut off) . For example, if a person ate meat believing that it was kosher and later found out that it was pork, he would be required to bring a “sin offering” but an individual who deliberately denies Jewish dietary regulations is not given the option to bring a “Chatat” (Sin offering) . The “corban Asham” were brought for when uncertain of guilt, a person thought they may have sinned but were unsure. (Leviticus 5:17-18). A “corban asham” was also brought for theft, for profane benefit from sacred things, violation of a enganged women, a “Nazir” at the end of his period of Nazariteship, the leper bring a “asham” when he has been purified. Its interesting that the Torah makes a distinction when speaking of the sin of a private individual and a leader in Yisrael. The Torah says : “If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments”,”If the anointed priest sins”, “If the entire congregation of Israel sins” – but regarding the chieftain it says: “When a a leader of a tribe sins.” With the leader of a tribe it does not seem to be a matter of “if” he will sin but “when”. The meaning of the sacrifices is not revealed by the Torah, as in the times of the Temple, everyone knew the meaning, and intentions behind the sacrifices, so the Torah does not need to explain it.
BLOOD AND FAT are interesting they specifically are brought to the altar. They are always the prime elements of a korban. Blood is the life force. “For the soul is in the blood” (Deut 1:23) Blood must be sprinkled on the alter,. Fat of sacrifices was burned on the alter at night Also its interesting that both blood and some parts of animal fat are forbidden to eat.
The 40 years while the Israelites sojourned in the desert, they were forbidden to slaughter meat for their own personal consumption. They were only allowed to eat from “Shalomim” (Peace offerings) brought to the Tabernacle (Deut. 12:20).
After I graduated University I began to seriously explore my interest in spirituality. When I looked at Judaism. Naturally the first book I read was the Five Books of Moses. Genesis and Exodus were pretty interesting. But then I got to Leviticus and saw page after page of animal sacrifices !
“Wow,” I remember thinking to myself “This is really crazy stuff!! Once upon a time they actually did these bloody rituals, it’s obviously obsolete today! Don’t any of those Orthodox Rabbis know this?
It all made no sense, little did I know that the greatest of Divine secrets are involved with the sacrifices.
When the cloud rose over the tabernacle and was on it, all those Merkavot [chariots] and all those vessels of the upper tabernacle in Heaven, Malchut, were inside the cloud. It is written about that, “Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it.” It is also written, “And Moses entered the midst of the cloud … and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” If Moses could not come to the tabernacle because of the cloud that was on it. How could he enter the cloud and sit in it at the mountain all of those forty days?
In truth, these are 2 different clouds: The first was the cloud that Moses entered and in which he sat in the mountain forty days and forty nights. This cloud is from Malchut. The second was the cloud that was on the tabernacle, which extends from the left line of Bina and in which Moses could not enter.
It is written, “The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” This means that wholeness was made above in Bina and below in Malchut by the clothing of the cloud in the tabernacle below, since a hidden correction, called “cloud,” descended from the left line to Bina, below to Divinity, which is called “tabernacle” and “tent of meeting,” and Divinity of Bina above was clothed in the cloud of the tabernacle below. Four sides of camps of angels in Malchut—which is called “lower Merkava”—were hidden by the cloud that descended upon the tabernacle, which is Malchut. The head angel on the right side is Tzadkiael, he is under the governance of Michael. And with him, all camps are corrected under his hand. One angel is established on four times three (12 angels), which are four sides below, each of which consists of three head angels. And when all those upper camps come down below, the angel’s names change into other names. And when they are above, their name never changes. Tzadkiel, stands over them inside.
In the temple of king Solomon a fire would come down from heaven to consume the daily offerings on the alter. Yet we still made a fire below. There is a verse in Thillim (Psalms) “Happy is the man whom you choose, and bring near.” (Psalm 65). In the Holy Zohar it explains ; who are those that Hashem brings close ?. It is those who first take a step in that direction. We can see Hashem demands a action below by us, we see this in man making the fire on the alter. In order to raise your self up and the world we must do something of Divine service then God will respond in kind, with great mercy. We learn from the Zohar a sacrifice is called in Biblical Hebrew a “corbon” from the same root as the word “corov” which means closeness. In Beor Esser Sefirot העטרת (the Crown) is called heart it is the place in the beginning of all tefilot (prayers). The הקרבנות (the sacrifices) are in עליוןלב (the supernal heart). This is the din (judgment) concerning tefilot. As this prayer is as a קרבן which purifies and brings one קרב (close). We can learn a lot from the Temple service. Dont take benefit of a mitzvah (commandment) before it is complete (dont create a incomplete mitzvah or lacking compared to what you are capable of). This is as if a Cohen were to eat from a sacrifice before he had completed his required Divine service with it. Do the mitzvot in a way of כבוד (honor) due to the Holy king. Dont enter into doing the Mitzvot in a light headed way. By comprehension of the mitzvot one comes to be careful with their fulfillment as then they understand that the mitzvot involve Holiness. Then they will do them with all their power, cherishing and guarding their kidusha. But if one enters to fulfill mitzvot with arrogance or not in a serious way they will not comprehend in truth “hashgacha” (divine providence), or see the way of the Mitzvot.1 Like a sacrifice, Torah is offered as a gift to Hashem. In the Zohar Barashit it is taught During times when sacrifices were offered sin never clung to Yisrael as these offerings made atonement for them. The Zohar Vayikra teaches that the inner most alter was for Incense, it is the “small still voice.” (the Spirit of Holiness). The ark is Bina including 32 paths which is the source of the Nashama Yetera of Shabot which is Chuchmah , the fire of the Brass alter, it stands against the fire of Ghenom.2 The section of the korbanot is interrupted by a law which tells us that part of the fat and blood of an animal is forbidden for a Jew eat blood (Vayikra 7:22-27). We are forbidden to consume blood and fat even if they come from a kosher animal. Interesting these two parts of the animal are brought to the altar.
Towards the end of the Parsha is discussed theft. Concerning the Mishna in Bava Kama (103a) establishes that if a thief falsely denied his crime on oath, he has a obligation to do whatever it takes to return the stolen goods. Even if the owner is very far away, the thief must bring the stolen goods to the victim. But if the thief did not falsely swear, then he is not required to bring the stolen goods all the way to the victim The thief can keep the stolen goods with him until the victim is in the area. according to the Shulchan Arukh (C.M. 367:1)
The work of the Holy Temple will continue once again as we see from the Prophet Jeremiah The Mishna in Bava Kama (103a) establishes that if a thief falsely denied his crime on oath, he has a obligation to do whatever it takes to return the stolen goods. Even if the owner is very far away, the thief must bring the stolen goods to the victim. But if the thief did not falsely swear, then he is not required to bring the stolen goods all the way to the victim The thief can keep the stolen goods with him until the victim is in the area. according to the Shulchan Arukh (C.M. 367:1)
“ Behold the days are coming says YHVH I will perform the good thing which I promised to the house of Israel, and to the house of Yehudah. In those days at that time, I will cause an offshoot of righteousness to grow up for David and He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Yehudah be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby she shall be called YHVH is our righteousness. Thus says YHVH David shall never lack a man sitting on the thrown of the house of Israel. Neither shall the Cohen and Levites lack a man before me to offer Burnt offerings and to burn Meal offerings and to do sacrifice for all days ”(33:14-18) The Radak explains ”offshoot of righteousness” this refers to Messiah. The Metsudat David says we will call the place of Jerusalem when this prophesy is fulfilled YHV”H is our righteousness. This depicts a little how dramatic this time will be to Jerusalem. The Metsudat David teaches us from the words ” do sacrifice for all days” that there will not be cut off the sacrifice because there shall forever be this service. God will return the Cohaniam (Descendants of Aharon) and all their aspects as described in the Torah into action again as in days of old In Marachot Elokim the main thing of גאולה (redemption) is in the night time so the corban pasach (pasach sacrifice) is only brought at night.
GET MY FREE SPIRITUAL BOOKS
THEY ARE MOST VALUABLE !
THEY ARE A GIFT
WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS 30 YEARS OF HARD WORK, DEEP RESEARCH INTO HOW TO ATTAIN THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOW TO ATTAIN “REAL” DIVINE EXPERIENCE, UNIQUE DIVINE PROVIDENCE. ACCORDING TO THE ANCIENT METHODS OF THE BIBLICAL PROPHETS.
an overview of
everything
Including :1)The Owner’s Manual to Prosperity and the Soul for Hindus, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and anyone else
2) “The Definitive Biblical phenomena”
3)The Souls speak
4)”The Owner’s Manual to the Soul” Part 1 The Gate
5)“The Owner’s manual to the Soul” Part 2 THE KABALLAH
6) “The Message”
7)The Book of the Angel Mattatro”n
8)“Book Of ELOHEME”
9)“Teffilin The Owner’s manual”
10)THE MYSTICAL HOLY SHABOT
11)“The Divine structure of unfolding of Heaven and Earth”
12)”The book of “יהו“ה Yhv”h
13) “Markava” The Divine chariot
YOU CAN READ & DOWN
LOAD YOUR FREE COPY OF THESE BOOKS HERE
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
Godssecret's Weblog 