Here's Rabbi Jack's commentary on the Torah portion for the Shabbat of March 16 / 3 Nisan. The Scripture readings are: Vayikra / Leviticus 1.1-5.26; Yeshayahu / Isaiah 43:21- 44:23; Messianic Jews / Hebrews 10:1-18.

This week's Torah reading brings us into the Book of Vayikra. As it happens the rabbis have also named this Parasha Vayikra. Our Bible translators have chosen to call the book Leviticus, mainly because it deals with the Levitical Priesthood. The actual translation of the word Vayikra is: "He called."

Parasha Vayikra deals entirely with the sacrificial requirements of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). It considers the different types of burnt offerings, for intentional sin against G-d, thanksgiving offerings of grain, peace offerings, offerings for the inadvertent sin of an individual, offerings for the inadvertent sin of the entire community and guilt offerings.

Hebrews {10:12} But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of G-d;... Based on this Scripture, many Bible commentators teach that the sacrificial system has been done away with. This would be a logical conclusion since neither the Mishkan nor the Temple exist anymore, therefore there is no longer any place for the sacrifices to be made. However does that necessarily mean that the sacrificial system has been abolished? Allow me to offer you my consideration on whether or not sacrifices are still being made today.

First let us look at the translation of this verse as it appears in the King James version of the Bible. The word "for ever" in the original Greek is "dienekes," which properly translated does not mean "for ever" but "continuously." In addition the Greek word "prosenengkas" would be better rendered "after He brought," instead of "after He had offered." Therefore I believe, properly translated, this verse should read as follows: "But this one, after He brought His continuous sacrifice, sat down on the right hand of G-d." In essence what this verse would then be saying, is that Yeshua is our continuous sacrifice. In other words He, as all the sacrifices rolled up into one, is being offered continuously in the heavenly Mishkan.

We know that the Mishkan in the wilderness was a copy, a duplicate of the Mishkan which is in heaven. Hebrews {9:11} But Messiah being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {9:12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Therefore what was done in the earthly Mishkan was a duplicate of what was being done in the heavenly Mishkan.

Prior to Yeshua's final ascension into heaven, at His resurrection when Miriam (Mary) saw Him at the tomb, He said to her: Yochanan (John) {20:17}...., Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my G-d, and your G-d.

In order for the redemption process to be complete, Yeshua had to first ascend into heaven, enter into the heavenly Mishkan and as our Kohen HaGadol (High Priest), sprinkle His blood upon the Mitzbayach (Altar of Sacrifice). Had He been touched prior to that event, He would have been rendered ceremonial tamei (unclean), which was also the case with the Aaronic Priesthood.

Therefore I believe, when Scripture tells us that Yeshua is our "continuous sacrifice" it is saying the following: Every time we commit a sin, which ever category that sin falls into whether a sin of guilt, a sin of trespass, an intentional sin or unintentional sin, upon our confession and repentance Yeshua is in heaven being our appropriate sacrifice for that sin. As an example. Should we commit a trespass against our neighbour or against G-d, upon our confession Yeshua would now, in the heavenly Mishkan, become our trespass offering, etc. Every time we sin and confess, pleading the blood of Messiah, we are in fact offering Him up as the appropriate sacrifice for that sin to our heavenly Father. A sobering fact when we consider how lightly some people treat sin and confession.

The understanding that the sacrificial system is in effect and intact in heaven is further confirmed by this fact. Although slightly altered, the sacrificial system will be reinstated in the millennial Temple. Yeshua will once again bring it back to earth upon His return. This Temple and its sacrifices are described by Yechezkel (Ezekiel) in chapters 40-48.

Yeshua did not abolish the sacrificial system, He became sacrifices.

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2002