In class, we already talked about how a big subject in Vayikra is going to be about "Mamlechet Kohanim and Goy kadosh", I was wondering about many things:
-what else could possibly be in this book of Vayikra?(is it possible that it is just about this one subject?!
-Why was it even named Vayikra?
-What should it have been named? (you can possibly only answer this after we have actually studied the sefer)
If anyone has any comments to enlighten me now or throughout this course that we are taking, i will gladly listen to your ideas!
Sharon, this is a wonderful question that I believe I can help you with! On Thursday we went over the different sections in sefer vayikra and discussed how each topic shed light into how to be a mamlechet cohanim vegoy kadosh. Perakim alef to yud discusses korbanot, mishkan, and the cohen. Perakim 11-17 discusses the metaphysical concept of purity/impurity vis-a-vis the cohanim and the mishkan. These two sections have to do with "kedushat hamakom"-connecting to G-d. Korbanot, the mishkan, impurities, etc all have to do with our relationship with Hashem. These are ways to become holy through serving Hashem. It makes sense, however, that the next section (18-22) is about "kedushat ha'adam." In this section immoral and sexual laws are discussed. Not only do we have to be holy to Hashem but we must be good to the people around us. We cannot have a corrupt society where people are cheating on their husbands and wives. This is another step in order to achieve holiness. For example, in our days, someone who davens everyday with a lot of kavanah, but steals money from her parents is not a 'holy' person. Both are vital to being "holy." The next section (23) is "keduashat ha'zman" in which the holidays are discussed. Even to us nowadays, holidays are always a time to recharge our spiritual batteries and become closer to Hashem. During the times of the beit hamikdash, Bnei Yisrael would go to Yerushalayim and bring korbanot to Hashem. People need to stop their mundane lives and realize that there is something greater than themselves...HASHEM. Once people realize that, they can be "holy." The last section (24-27) is about the treaty at Har Sinai which leads you to a spiritual relationship with Hashem in the land of Israel. I think this is here because it is reminding Bnei Yisrael that they are the chosen nation, and therefore, they can achieve this mamlechet cohanim and goy kadosh. I think it's very important that all of these topics are included. You cannot have one without the other. One must be 'spiritua'l in his physical world and also in his relationship with Hashem.
ReplyDeleteNow, I would like to address the name of the Sefer, Vayikra. With only knowing the basic outline of the sefer, I cannot come up with a reason why it is called "vayikra" (and he called?). It seems to me that the sefer is basically a way to become a holy nation that serves Hashem correctly. This is why I believe the name of the sefer should be something like "kedoshim" or "cohanim."
That was a very smart and interesting comment! I totally agree with you that we cannot have one topic, but the other since they all blong to one another to make one big subject. Thank you for explaining all the parts so clearly!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of what the sefer should have been called, maybe it could have been called mamlechet kedoshim ve kohanim :)