Vaykra 5775 - English

by Rabbi Daniel A. Kripper
Beth Israel Aruba

The main topic in this section, sacrifices in the ancient ritual of Israel, may only have a historical interest for most contemporary readers.  The parashah describes the types of sacrifices, with the intricate details of their execution, just like they were offered in the Temple by the Cohanim.  

At first sight, it is hard to perceive some dimension of religious or spiritual values in this guide of priestly practices referred to the offerings and sacrifices held at the altar of the temple.  

However, the sacrifices had a highly significant role in the cult at the Temple of Jerusalem.  The act of sacrifice was a way to feel part of the process of elevation and connection with the divine.  It should be noted that the Hebrew word for sacrifice is “korban”, which comes from “karov”, meaning near.  The individual that brought his offering to the temple could experience a sense of internal realization, by fulfilling in all detail the customary ritual according to the prescribed specifications of the sacred texts.  

Ritual expressions have evolved through time and generations, obviously sacrifices have lost their validity, but the fundamental necessities that gave rise to them, like the desire to ascend towards superior planes and reach a feeling of purification and internal refinement, have not.  

Jewish tradition suggests several ways to respond to these profound needs of the human being:

Prayer has historically been the means par excellence to nurture the soul and strengthen spirituality, be it within the framework of the religious service in the community, or in the individual devotional practice.  These expressions are not exclusive, they complement and combine with each other reciprocally.  

In this sense, along with prayer, the vast range of rituals proposed by Judaism, such as the celebration of Shabbat and the holidays, or the practice of loving your neighbor through tzedakah or acts of social commitment, play a capital role.  

In sum, the sacrifices themselves belong, I think, to earlier times, but the reading and study of them help us become aware of the variety of options and spiritual resources available to satisfy the religious needs that lay beneath the offerings. 

Rabbi Daniel Kripper

Beth Israel Aruba