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Vayikra/Leviticus
Leviticus 1:1–5:26
The name of the Parshah, “Vayikra,” means “And [He] called” and it is
found in Leviticus 1:1.
YEHOVAH calls to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, and communicates to him
the laws of the korbanot, the animal and meal offerings brought in the
Sanctuary. These include:
• The “ascending offering” (olah) that is wholly raised to YEHOVAH by
the fire atop the altar;
• Five varieties of “meal offering” (minchah) prepared with fine flour,
olive oil and frankincense;
• The “peace offering” (shelamim), whose meat was eaten by the one
bringing the offering, after parts are burned on the altar and parts are
given to the kohanim (priests);
• The different types of “sin offering” (chatat) brought to atone for
transgressions committed erroneously by the high priest, the entire
community, the king or the ordinary Jew;
• The “guilt offering” (asham) brought by one who has misappropriated
property of the Sanctuary, who is in doubt as to whether he transgressed
a divine prohibition, or who has committed a “betrayal against YEHOVAH”
by swearing falsely to defraud a fellow man.
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