Weekly Parsha

This Week Study is sponsored by Yud in honor of our kehilat Kodesh Community. May G-d Bless us all with much success, good health and peaceful home.

Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26

The book of Vayikra (Leviticus) primarily deals with what are commonly called "sacrifices" or "offerings." According to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch: a "sacrifice" implies giving up something that is of value to oneself for the benefit of another. An "offering" implies a gift which satisfies the receiver. The Almighty does not need our gifts. He has no needs or desires. The Hebrew word is korban, which is best translated as a means of bringing oneself into a closer relationship with the Almighty. The offering of  korbanot was only for our benefit to come close to the Almighty.

Through the vicarious experience of what happened to the animal korbanot, the transgressor realized the seriousness of his transgression. This aided him in the process of teshuva -- correcting his erring ways.

This week's portion includes the details of various types of korbanot: burnt offering, flour offering (proof that one does not need to offer "blood" to gain atonement), the first grain offering, peace offering, unintentional sin offering (private and communal), guilt (for an intentional sin) offerings -- varied upon one's ability to pay, and an offering for personal use of something designated or belonging to the Tabernacle or the Temple.

***

"Every meal offering that you offer to the Almighty do not make it chametz (leavened); for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, in any offering of the Almighty made by fire. With all your offerings you shall offer salt" 

(Leviticus 2:11-13).

Yeast and honey were not permitted in the offering on the altar. Yeast makes the dough rise higher, but it is an external additive. Honey makes things taste sweet, but it is also an external additive. Salt, on the other hand, brings out the flavor of the food, but only the flavor that is already there. This symbolizes a basic principle in spiritual matters.

Salt is a derivative of water. It is formed by the fiery beating of the sun upon the water. Water is chesed, kindness; salt is gevura, severity. [Hence the sharpness of salt.]

When serving the Almighty you should follow the model of salt. That is, utilize all the abilities and talents that you have to serve Him. Do not be like yeast that causes distortion of what is there. Do not be like honey that is very sweet, but is something borrowed from the outside. Be the Salt of the earth!

Be yourself, but make every effort to be all that you can be.

Shabbat Shalom!

Mazal Tov 

Alexandre Nigri
Rachel Hessing 

Prayer list

"Aaron ben Bracha"
"Julia bas Leah "
"Ozorio ben Sarah"

Pray for the  "Refuah Shleima"  (rapid recovery) of "  our community" . May G-d deliver us from this crisis quickly and grant a full recovery to those who are sick, Amen!

Covid won't stop our learning 

We are pleased to announce the  American Jewish College's  FREE Halachot Learning Program .

Please contact Rabbi Ovadiah Tank's WhatsApp at +1 (917) 834-4770 to inform that you want to join the English, French, Spanish or Portuguese daily study group.

The wise man seizes the opportunity to do mitzvot" (King Solomon). The lazy person says -- someday I'll do it.

Be a Partner

Join Our Campaign