ON THE PARSHA
          Parshas VaYikra

          by Dovid Lipman, Israel
          Year 2, No. 23


Introduction

This parsha, which lays the foundation
for the laws of Offerings, has five parts:
       1) Olah: 3 animal types
       2) Mincha: 5 types
       3) Sh'lamim: 3 animal types
       4) 3 National Atonements
       5) Asham: 3 types

A Quick Intro to Sefer VaYikra

This is the book of spirituality. Closeness to Hashem
is everywhere, and especially in the Offerings, the
expression of the spiritually awake person's drive to
connect to the Almighty. For those who seek spiritual
life, the keys are here. For all others, VaYikra
remains a closed book, full of meaningless details.

1. Olah: 3 animal types -- Chapter 1

The Olah is totally burnt on the altar, representing
total giving of self. Anyone can bring one whenever
they want, from any of the three basic animal-types,
cattle, flocks, and birds, each with a slightly
different procedure outlined here. The Olah is called
a "gift of honor" to Hashem, so a sinner should bring
his atonement offering first, to "repair the rela-
tionship" before honoring the King with a gift.

2. Mincha: 5 types -- Chapter 2

A Mincha is a simple cake of flour and oil. A portion
is burnt, the rest eaten by Kohanim. It may be baked
or fried, made into matzos or pita-like pancakes. A
poor man might bring one, and the Mincha of a poor
man is just as desired Above as the Olah of a wealthy
man, for what Hashem really wants is a devoted heart.

   Do You Remember? - from the files of On the Parsha

   1. Why does one lean on the animal he's offering?
      (Ramban on 1:9)
   2. Can one bring an offering with the intent that
      it atone for someone else? (Zevachim 4b)
   3. Why does it say "from among you" (1:2)? (Ohr HaChayim)
   4. Should one speak to someone without calling to
      him first? (Yoma 4b)
   5. Who eats the fat-tail of a sheep offering, and
      how did this expose one impostor? (3:9, Pesachim 3b)

3. Sh'lamim: 3 animal types -- Chapter 3

Sh'lamim, from the word shalom, brings total harmony
between man and Hashem, with the Kohanim intermediary
between them, as all three "partake" of the offering.
Anyone without a life-long commitment to Hashem may
not bring one, for a human doesn't really deserve to
eat at "Hashem's table", only become a member of His
"staff" entitles us to "share His food". (The third
type outlined is goats, not birds, here, although
goats are usually included with sheep.)

4. 3 National Atonements -- Chapter 4

An even higher level is the three offerings that
represent atonement for all Israel. Focused on a
sin of (a)the whole nation due to a technicality
in the Sanhedrin, (b)the High Priest, or (c)the
king, for any of which the whole nation is held
responsible, these offerings are designed to
repair major damage in our Service of Hashem.

5. Asham: 3 types -- Chapter 5

The ultimate in Hashem's love is the Asham, which
sometimes gives atonement without awareness of the
sin. Some are brought for known sins, and some are
dependent on the ability of the sinner, another
sign of love. The various sins that incur an Asham
are listed - the key here is to understand the sin
itself. Not the act, so much, as the shame of what
the person did right in front of his Creator.