Notes
*This week’s teaching will have minimal notes as I will speak more from the heart of the text than do an in-depth study. That being the case, at the end of the notes, I will include selection references from the Kehot Chumash for further insight and links to the resources I used in my study time.
“Leviticus, then, is the quintessential book of the Torah. It is therefore significant that it is not only the middle book of the Torah but the third book, for the number three expresses the essence of the Torah. The Torah is composed of three parts—the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings; it was given in the third month of the Jewish calendar—Sivan; it was given to a nation of three classes—Priests, Levites, and Israelites; it was given after three days of preparation; and it was taught to the people by three siblings—Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The number three signifies the synergy that results from the paradoxical but harmonious combination of the two elements of a duality, and this is the very essence of the Torah: it takes two opposing entities, the physical and the spiritual, and creates from them a third—the peaceful fusion of the mundane and the holy.” – Kehot Chumash, pg. 601
“Why do schoolchildren begin their learning with Toras Kohanim (the Book of Vayikra [Leviticus]) and not with Breshis [Genesis]? Since the children are pure and the sacrifices are pure, let the pure come and deal with the pure.” – Vayikra Rabbah 7:3
Text and Notes
Four offerings: Two are about relational closeness (Ascent (Burnt/Grain) offerings and the Peace offering). Two concern the forgiveness of sin (Sin offering – unintentional sins and Guilt Offering – deliberate sin)
Lev. 7:11-21
Offering (Strongs H#7126): Root – to draw near
Peace (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon): Alliance, friendship
Thanksgiving offering: to be a meal, to come to the table of the Lord.
Altar: A representation of our heart. We must stoke our love for God through prayer, Bible study, and giving.
Haftarah: Ezek. 36:16-38
KEY verses – 25-29
Insight from the Kehot Chumash Commentary
Vayikra: Voluntary offerings (pg. 602)
Pleasing God (pg. 610)
You must offer up salt (pgs. 610-612)
A female goat (pgs. 620-622)
Tzav: The entire night (pg. 632) – I note that this comment is reminiscent of the Christian Mystics, dark night of the soul.
The fire must not go out (pg. 634)
In order to give thanks (pg. 640)
Aaron and his sons did all the things (pg. 650)
These references are based on the printed edition available here. The online edition is phrased/arranged slightly differently.
Resources I use for Study
Unrolling the Scroll: First Fruits of Zion
Casey D. Bell 
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