Vayikra וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called
Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Shabbat: Leviticus 5:11–26
5:11 “‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for that in which he has sinned, one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, and he shall not put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Hashem made by fire. It is a sin offering. 13 The priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned in any of these things, and he will be forgiven; and the rest shall be the priest’s, as the meal offering.’”
14 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 15 “If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly regarding Hashem’s holy things, then he shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering. 16 He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong regarding the holy thing, and shall add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and he will be forgiven.
17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things which Hashem has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. 18 He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven. 19 It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before Hashem.”
Today’s Meditation:
The offerings are not only for those who can afford it, but for those who cannot (verse 11). What a compassionate Elohim we serve, that he cares equally for the poor. We see this repeated numerous times in the Torah. If He cares for the poor, then so should we. If you are not already supporting people in your community who need help, consider starting today. There are always food banks, local overnight shelters, and places that need volunteers and financial aid. Let us not overlook those who need us.
Today’s Challenge:
Can we sin without knowing it? Absolutely. In verse 17, we are told of an offering that addresses this. Even the sins we are unaware of, Hashem forgives. Today, I challenge you to take an inventory of your life. Take a moment to reflect on your daily routine and the people in your life. Examine the things you do and say. If nothing is evident that you have sinned, still take a moment to go before Hashem and ask for His forgiveness for the sins in your life that you are unaware of. It would be good to seek His forgiveness and repent.
This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
43:21 The people which I formed for Myself,
that they might declare My praise.
22 Yet you have not called on Me, Jacob;
but you have been weary of Me, Israel.
23 You have not brought Me any of your sheep for burnt offerings,
neither have you honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have bought Me no sweet cane with money,
nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices,
but you have burdened Me with your sins.
You have wearied Me with your iniquities.
25 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put Me in remembrance.
Let us plead together.
Declare your case,
that you may be justified.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your teachers have transgressed against Me.
28 Therefore, I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
and I will make Jacob a curse,
and Israel an insult.”
44 Yet listen now, Jacob My servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what Hashem, who made you,
and formed you from the womb,
who will help you says:
“Don’t be afraid, Jacob my servant;
and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
and My blessing on your offspring:
4 and they will spring up among the grass,
as willows by the watercourses.
5 One will say, ‘I am Hashem’s;’
and another will be called by the name of Jacob;
and another will write with his hand ‘to Hashem,’
and honor the name of Israel.”
6 This is what Hashem, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Hashem of Armies, says:
“I am the first, and I am the last;
and besides Me there is no Elohim.
7 Who is like Me?
Who will call,
and will declare it,
and set it in order for Me,
since I established the ancient people?
Let them declare the things that are coming,
and that will happen.
8 Don’t fear,
neither be afraid.
Haven’t I declared it to you long ago,
and shown it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there an Elohim besides Me?
Indeed, there is not.
I don’t know any other Rock.”
9 Everyone who makes a carved image is vain.
The things that they delight in will not profit.
Their own witnesses don’t see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.
10 Who has fashioned a god,
or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?
11 Behold, all his fellows will be disappointed;
and the workmen are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together.
Let them stand up.
They will fear.
They will be put to shame together.
12 The blacksmith takes an ax,
works in the coals,
fashions it with hammers,
and works it with his strong arm.
He is hungry,
and his strength fails;
he drinks no water,
and is faint.
13 The carpenter stretches out a line.
He marks it out with a pencil.
He shapes it with planes.
He marks it out with compasses,
and shapes it like the figure of a man,
with the beauty of a man,
to reside in a house.
14 He cuts down cedars for himself,
and takes the cypress and the oak,
and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest.
He plants a cypress tree,
and the rain nourishes it.
15 Then it will be for a man to burn;
and he takes some of it, and warms himself.
Yes, he burns it and bakes bread.
Yes, he makes a god, and worships it;
he makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
16 He burns part of it in the fire.
With part of it, he eats meat.
He roasts a roast and is satisfied.
Yes, he warms himself,
and says, “Aha! I am warm. I have seen the fire.”
17 The rest of it he makes into a god,
even his engraved image.
He bows down to it and worships,
and prays to it, and says, “Deliver me; for you are my god!”
18 They don’t know, neither do they consider:
for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see;
and their hearts, that they can’t understand.
19 No one thinks,
neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
“I have burned part of it in the fire.
Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals.
I have roasted meat and eaten it.
Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination?
Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?”
20 He feeds on ashes.
A deceived heart has turned him aside;
and he can’t deliver his soul,
nor say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
21 Remember these things, Jacob and Israel;
for you are My servant.
I have formed you.
You are My servant.
Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions,
and, as a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, you heavens, for Hashem has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth!
Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees,
for Hashem has redeemed Jacob,
and will glorify Himself in Israel.
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
In verses 21 and 22, we see that Hashem has not forgotten His people; He has forgiven their transgressions and redeemed them. Hallelujah. What an incredible Elohim we serve. After centuries and multitudes of people looking after other gods, He is so willing to forgive and redeem. And that is what is happening right now. He knows we have been dispersed among the nations. We have been mixed in with the Gentiles who do not know Him. Yet, if we go to Him and repent, and seek His face, and follow His Commandments, He will forgive us and set us free.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
Once again, I challenge you to look around for the false “gods” that you serve. Whether it be money, a job, relationships, material things, boats, cars, or houses, reconsider following with a pure heart —the one true Elohim. Examine your life today. Look around at what is so important to you. And discover what is really important. Whom do you serve?
