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Parasha Vayikra/And He called
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
The Scripture readings for the Shabbat of March 15/11 Adar II are: Vayikra/Leviticus 1.1-5.26; Yeshayahu/Isaiah 43:21- 44:23; Messianic Jews/Hebrews 10:1-18. The Sacrifical System As I read through Parasha Vayikra I asked myself this question. "What can I possibly say about the sacrificial system instituted by G-d here in this Parasha, that I have not already said?" The answer is; "Of course there is still a lot that can be said"! The whole purpose of the sacrificial system established in this Parasha was for repentance and forgiveness of sin. Repentance because by bring these offerings it demonstrated a persons recognition of their sin. In fact depending on the kind of sin committed, the appropriate offering then had to be brought to the altar for that particular sin. Forgiveness because when the appropriate korban, (korban is literally translated as "draw near" but generally translated as "sacrifice"), was offered with proper repentance G-d accepted it as a sweet savour. An excellent example of this from Parasha Vayikra is: Vayikra (Leviticus) {1:1} HaSHEM called to Moshe, and spoke to him out of the Tent of Meeting, saying, {1:2} "Speak to the Bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel), and tell them, 'When anyone of you offers an korban to HaSHEM, you shall offer your korban of the cattle, of the herd and of the flock. {1:3} If his offering is an Olah korban of the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall offer it at the door of the Ohel Moed, that he may be accepted before HaSHEM. In this particular case G-d is giving instructions concerning the Olah offering. The Olah offering is a complete burnt offering. For an Olah offering the korban is totally consumed on the altar. This type of offering applied to intentional sin. In the case of intentional sin a bull or male lamb had to be offered. In some cases, as we read through Parasha Vayikra, you will notice that the same korban (a lamb or a bull) was applied to any number of offerings. An example of that is found in: Vayikra {3:1} If his korban be a korban of Shalom-offerings; if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before HaSHEM. A Shalom (peace) offering is not a sin offering but rather a type of thanksgiving offering where the offerer is requesting shalom in his and his families life, as well as peace between himself and G-d. As we see, here too a bull can be the korban. Therefore because the type of korban offered for different sins could be the same, when offering their korban the offerer would have to confess to the Kohen (Priest) for what purpose the offering was being made. If it were for intentional sin he would have to confess it as such. If the korban were for a peace offering he would therefore have to declare that as well. This would ensure that the appropriate prayers could be made thus applying the offering to its intended purpose. As we are all well aware neither the Mishkan (Tabernacle in the wilderness), nor the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) exist any longer. Therefore these korbanot (plural for korban) can no longer be offered. Traditional Jews believe that since the destruction of the Temple the sacrificial system has been replaced with prayer, good deeds and righteous giving. However Messianic Jews and believers in Mashiach (Messiah) Yeshua know that the Temple was destroyed because its original intention was perverted and the focus on repentance and G-d had to be restored. With Yeshua's substitutionary korban G-d Himself paid man's price for sin, which is death, and the sacrificial system as perverted during the second Temple period was therefore rendered unnecessary. Yeshua became and is now our once and for all korban. Thus the purpose of the korban and its focus on the restoration of our relationship with G-d has been restored through the acceptance of Yeshua as our Mashiach. Messianic Jews (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; Many believers today therefore are under the misconception that they do not have to apply Yeshua, their korban, to any particular sin, but rather they believe that a general confession and repentance is sufficient. However this is not the case. Although the Temple no longer exists and the sacrificial system as applied in the past is no longer practiced, Yeshua is still our korban. Therefore the principle of a substitutionary sacrifice has not changed. If we sin intentionally Yeshua is our Olah offering. If we want peace for our families and between G-d and ourselves, He is our Shalom offering. Therefore just as it was necessary for a person who committed sin during the Mishkan and Temple periods to declare what sin there korban was to be applied to, so too is it necessary for us to do the same. We must be specific in our confession of sin. We cannot expect a general confession to be sufficient. Our korban (Yeshua) must be applied to the specific sin by specific confession of that sin. Even though Yeshua is our once and for all korban He is still a korban, and in order for our korban to be effective our sin must be specifically confessed and repented of. Just saying forgive me is not enough, I believe we need to be specific!Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2003
- Romans 1:16, NIV |