Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Vayikra – 3.19.2010

This week we hear a lot about offerings and sacrifices. What relevance does this have for today? One thought that kept on coming to me was the order of description of the first sacrifices - particularly when it talks about sins.

The initial sins that are highlighted deal with the sins of leaders. A sin of leader is addressed specifically, including judgment. And these initial sins are for unintentional sins. I love the idea that the system of repentance (and by that standard it also defines expectations) builds in the necessity of leadership holding itself to a higher standard. This week we remind ourselves that in order to be chosen people, a light unto the nations and lead that we must hold ourselves to a higher standard than we hold others. In order to lead we can do no less. And if we are leading that is what will be expected of us if we want people to follow.

This basic leadership principle is highlighted this week. We must hold ourselves to this higher standard and be willing to admit it and act when we do not live up to that ideal. In fact, recognizing these moments and recovering from them is also a key component of a leader. As people we all have the opportunity to lead. Whether it is ourselves, our careers, families and of course larger groups, we all have moments where we are the leader. This week the Torah reminds us of the responsibilities included with this task, as well as the tools to recognize when we fall short and have to get going again. That too is part of the leader’s journey and part of being Jewish.

So may we all take this week to reflect on the opportunities we have had to lead and look over them and hope that we have lived up to a higher standard than we asked the people who followed us. And when we do we can know that we are living in on of the ultimate ideals of Jewish leadership and when we do not get there we should know that there is a special place in the Torah for us to recognize and recover and as with all things in Judaism – get back to the work we are committed to.

Shabbat Shalom

Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
1st & 2nd & 3rd Aliyot: The instructions for offering a "Oleh" - burnt offering (fully consumed on the Alter) is detailed. This offering could be brought from a bull, or male sheep or goat. The less expensive "Oleh", using a Turtle Dove or common dove, is described. The Mincha, an offering made from baked, fried, or deep fried matzoh type crackers is detailed.

4th Aliya: The Korban Shlomim - the peace offering, brought from male or female cattle, sheep, and goats is described.

5th Aliya: This aliya describes this Korban Chatas - the sin offering. Three unique sin offerings are described:

1. When the High Priest sinned
2. If the King sinned
3. If the entire nation sinned because of a wrong ruling by the Sanhedrin - High Court. Note: A Korban Chatas could only be offered if the sin was unintentional.

6th & 7th Aliyot: The Korban Chatas of a commoner is detailed, as well as the specifics of the Korban Asham - the guilt offering. This Korban was offered in instances where intentional wrong doing was implicated; such as not fulfilling an assumed oath, or doing something questionable without first ascertaining the law. Additionally, a type of Asham was offered in instances of dishonesty and swearing falsely.