Vayikra / He called - Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1 - 5:25 (6:7)

Vayikra / He called

Vayikra / Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26 (6:7)

Discussion portion – parashah #5 (4:1 – 26)

            More than a teaching this week, I believe my writing will lead to a teaching moment.  For now, my thoughts have been provoked, and I will share them with you, the reader.

            This portion speaks regarding unintentional sin, and the first two instances spoken of are if this faux pas was committed by the high priest (vv. 3b – 12) or by the entire community of Israel (vv. 13 – 21).  Should either of these instances occur, the high priest must do the following:

            1. offer a young bull without defect as a sin offering,

            2. bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting (vs. 4),

            3. lay his hand on the bull’s head and slaughter the bull

                in the presence of Adonai,

            4. take some of the bull’s blood and bring it to the tent of meeting, (is

                he not already there?),

            5. dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven

                times in in the presence of Adonai in front of the curtain of the

                sanctuary.

            6. he is then to put some of the blood on the horns of the incense

                altar, and then

            7. he is to take the remaining blood and to pour it out at the base of the                    altar used for the burnt offerings.

From this point #5 on (vv. 8 - 12), the procedure is the same as when an “ordinary” individual inadvertently sins (vv. 27 - 31 and for a lamb – vv. 32 – 35a).

            Therefore, my conundrum is as follows, why in the first two instances are most of the events taking place in what I presume is the Holy Place, while     an “ordinary” individual’s inadvertent sin is dealt with at the altar for the burnt offering?

            Here’s hoping that I am enlightened this evening as we discuss this portion.  Shalom.