Parsha Summary: Vayikra | Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Beit Midrash

Beit Midrash

Torah Portion and Tanach
Vayikra
Vayikra

קטגוריה משנית

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The Book of Vayikra, also known as Torat Kohanim, the Laws of the Priests, deals largely with the many korbanot brought in the Mishkan, such as the Olah. The offerer sets his hands on the animal; it is then slaughtered & the kohen sprinkles its blood on the altar. The animal is skinned; its pieces are washed & then burned on the altar.

The various meal offerings are described. Part of the meal offering is burned on the altar; the remaining part is eaten by the kohanim.
Mixing leaven or honey into the offerings is prohibited. The Shlamim (peace offering) can be either from cattle, sheep or goats. The Torah prohibits the eating of blood or certain animal fats.

The offerings that atone for inadvertent sins committed by the Kohen Gadol, by the entire community, by the prince & by the average citizen are detailed, as well as laws of the guilt-offering (to atone for verbal transgressions & for transgressing laws of ritual purity); & the meal offering (for those who cannot afford the normal guilt offering).

Vayikra