Tuesday, March 12, 2013

VaYikra: Absorbing the Lesson


Parshas VaYikra starts the third book of the Chumash which bares the same name. It introduces many of the sacrifices that were brought in the Temple. The sacrifices take many forms. Conceptually they can be shows of dedication i.e the burnt offering (עולה), requests for forgiveness i.e. sin (חטאת) and guilt (אשם) offerings, and expressions of celebration and thanksgiving (שלמים). They can take the form of animals, birds, and grain products say bread or flour.


The term "atonement" (כפר) is often applied to them and may even be the stated purpose. It is typically understood in terms of forgiveness. This includes the burnt offering as it says, "He will place his hands on the head of the burnt offering and it will be dear (נרצה) to him to atone (לכפר) on it," (VaYikra 1:4). The whole verse is cryptic, but in any case the burnt offering is brought as a show of dedication. What is the point of forgiveness in this context?

In addition the word kapora is used in many other situations where forgiveness does not seem to be a concern. For example the incense altar requires must be sprinkled with the blood of a sin offering once a year to effect atonement (Shmos 30:10). In the haftora for Shabbos HaHodesh blood of a sin offering is sprinkled on the entrances to the Temple to make atonement for it (Yechezkiel 45:20). The first use of the word כפר is in parshas Noah in which G-d tells him to apply pitch (וכפרתה) to the wood of the ark. The idea seems to be that the substance should be absorbed.

Often the simple understanding of the word is to purify. This is consistent with the idea of forgiveness because once a person is purified from sin it is appropriated for him to be forgiven. In other contexts the word "kofer" (כופר) is considered a ransom. The mandatory half shekel donation given to the Temple in connection with a census is called "a ransom for his soul to Hashem," (Shmos 30:12).

The idea of kipora כפרה seems to include an aspect of making an impression. When a Jew sees the blood on the doorposts of the Temple on Rosh Hodesh Nissan he remembers well that it is time to start preparing for Pesach. A smaller reminder may be easily forgotten. So to speak the lesson soaks in. A blood ritual involving the Temple and its vessels drives home the message that these items are supposed to convey.

When a person places his hands on the head of an animal he has brought as a sacrifice it creates a bond, particularly if he likes the animal. Immediately after, the animal is slaughtered and the blood is spilled on the altar. With that the feelings he had for making the offering become much stronger. Therefore his intentions of penitence or dedication are much more likely to become part of his general behavior as it says in Mishle 16:6, "With kindness and truth iniquity will be atoned and with the fear of Hashem one will depart from evil".





אזכור הכבוד של תורמים ליד יוסף
אבי מורי פיליפ שרייבר, רבי ברוך רוזנפלד, יוחנן הולצברג, אברהם שמרלר,
שלומי דייווס, בנימין לוי, אליהו גליק, בצלאל גליק, דוד נקי

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To view on YouTube click:          http://youtu.be/IO6vIe5i39U
An examination of the concept of atonement and how it includes the ideas of unity and making an impression in addition to that of forgiveness


To download Audio click:         https://www.box.com/s/x1g5ol81c4c4w13zk0r3

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