Parashat Vayikra
This week’s parashah details the five categories of sacrifices offered in the Temple. Only two of these categories were in reference to sin (and in both of those cases, sin was not always the reason that type of offering was brought), and the other categories were voluntary offerings. Is that surprising to you?
Would it be surprising to hear that sacrifices were brought with joy? And that the sacrifices weren’t about the death of the animal, but rather about the life that is in the blood?
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’
leviticus 17:11
As we approach Passover, the time when our Messiah offered Himself up as the perfect sacrifice, providing for us atonement and eternal life through His death and resurrection, learning about the sacrifices gives us a great opportunity to learn more about what Yeshua has done for us!