fbpx

A Portion of Parshat Vayikra

Today we start the third book of the Torah -- Leviticus.
[additional-authors]
March 14, 2002

Today we start the third book of the Torah — Leviticus. In this book, we learn a lot about the Levites (hence the Latin name) who were the priests in the tabernacle. We learn about the sacrifices that were brought. There were different sacrifices for different types of sins. If you committed a sin unintentionally, you brought one kind of sacrifice. If you committed a sin because you didn’t know it was a sin, you brought another type.

Always ask yourself this question when you’ve done something wrong: Did I do this on purpose? Did I spill the milk by accident or was I kind of hoping some of it would get on my pesky little sister? Did I know that it was wrong to play handball against my parents’ bedroom door at 7 a.m. on a Sunday, or did I truly not understand why I’m not supposed to do that?

These are hard questions to ask yourself. But you must always examine the truth of your questions. Be true to yourself and to other people around you.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

A Night of Gratitude Honoring Dennis Prager

Latest Articles

Unbreakable Blue Thread: Reclaiming Our Past and Our Future

I write to you, all you first and second generations, and I assure you from generations five, six and seven that if we keep doing what we need to do, if we stand together, keep our traditions, educate ourselves in our ancient wisdom, keep Hebrew spoken and sung in our midst, we will not only endure. We Jews will thrive.

Unstuck in the Middle with You

Kwall, the Raymond P. Niro Law Professor at DePaul University College of Law, argues for a center defined by enough common commitments to make communal life possible.

Sewage Without Borders

Israel’s water security depends on what flows into the sea on the other side of all of them, and our water policy should start from that reality.

Torah Portion: Vayera

The parsha ends with the binding of Isaac, the Akeida, probably the darkest chapter in the entire Torah.

Let Them Talk

If we want our younger generations to love our faith, our culture, and our peoplehood, we need to be welcoming when they show interest and have a spark of curiosity.

A Wild and Improbable Story Hits Israel

It turns out that claim about Israel being a democracy wasn’t just propaganda. The two million Arabs who live in the world’s only Jewish state really do have the power to vote.

Why I Came to Vote in Israel

My journey to the ballot box was circuitous. The path I hope Israel will follow is derech Adonai: the way of righteousness and justice.

Bibi’s Battle

Overall, the anti-Netanyahu bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while the Netanyahu-led right-wing religious bloc is projected to win 50. Both are expected to fall well short of a 61-seat majority.

Bibi and Gadi

Let’s consider how Netanyahu and Eisenkot would govern differently given their many similarities on international and security matters.

Riots in France, Balagan in Israel

Suddenly, after years of lecturing Israel about being “too violent,” Macron was calling in his army to deal with out-of-control rioters, declaring that “those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.”

Up (and Down) In Michigan

A report on the Jewish nostalgia for a political home in the lead up to Michigan’s elections.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.