PARSHAT VAYIKRA

Shayna Davis

Sefer VaYikra opens up talking mainly about Korbanot, sacrifices to Hashem. There are many different types of Korbanot including Korban Todah - thanking Hashem for a personal salvation, Korban Shelamim - (usually) celebrating the happiness of Yom Tov, and many other important ones. But one type of sacrifice which is heavily discussed over this Parashah is the Korban Chatat - atoning for one’s accidental sins. An alarming question that we must ask when hearing this is why does a person who sinned unintentionally have to bring a sacrifice to repent for his actions? Why does a person who did not even intend to go astray have to go to all this trouble in order to cleanse himself? Moreover, the Parashah has a few special versions of the Korban Chatat including one for a Nasi, a leader of the nation, who sinned. Why does the Torah make special mention of this person and create a whole new category of Korban just for him?

The Sefer HaChinuch gives an enlightening explanation regarding the idea of bringing a Korban Chatat. He explains that the process itself of bringing the Korban is much more important than the final act of offering the animal on the Mizbei’ach. This person who accidentally sinned must now travel all the way to Yerushalayim, barter his way to buying a sheep, guide that animal to the Beit HaMikdash, and finally assist the Kohen in preparing his atonement sacrifice. Dragging himself from place to place, the sinner begins to introspect and think about his mistakes. He begins to realize that maybe the actions he committed were not quite as unintentional as he originally surmised. Maybe he could have been more careful as to not allow himself to fall into a situation that allowed him to sin; maybe the circumstances were not really out of his control. This is why the “Shogeg,” “accidental sinner,” must bring a Korban.

In regards to the Nasi’s special Korban, I think a critical lesson can be learned from the Torah separating this supreme leader and specifically discussing when he will sin. The Torah uses the phrase “Asher Nasi Yecheta,” “When the Nasi sins,” a significant change from the regular phrase we generally have of “if” one sins, almost implying the Nasi will for sure sin at some point in time. Rashi takes this as a hint that the Torah is praising - “Ashrei” - the generation whose leader is willing to not only admit his guilt, but even take the necessary actions to atone for his Aveirot. Hashem is sending us a clear message that great people sin too, it is inevitable. No one is impervious to temptation and guilt, no matter their communal status. 

Oftentimes, after having a spark and reaching a higher spiritual level, we feel that we are now going to be perfect and follow every single detail of every single Halachah. But of course, we then forget to say a Berachah before taking a bite of food, or, chas veShalom, speak a word or two of Lashon Hara, and we feel all is lost. Parashat VaYikra comes to teach us that even the greatest of people will unavoidably sin, by accident or otherwise, but it is up to us to learn our lesson and move past these bumps in the road. B’Ezrat Hashem we should be Zocheh to the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash where we will finally be able to bring Korbanot (though hopefully not Chatat) and strengthen our connection with Hashem.

שבת שלום וחודש טוב!

GOOD LUCK TO OUR VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM AS THEY ARE IN NEW YORK FOR THE SARACHEK TOURNAMENT!!

Look for updates next week!!