Vayikra
Sacrificial Consciousness
Adapted from Rabbi David Zaslow
Parshat
Vayikra introduces the system of sacrifices used in the desert tabernacle and
later in the Jerusalem Temple. The
Hebrew word for sacrifices is korbanot. However, because it comes
from the Hebrew root karav, which
means "draw close," korbanot is best translated as "drawing near practices." When done with awareness, these
practices helped make humanity conscious of the importance of all life.
The
person who drew near to the altar to offer an animal as a korban had the opportunity to realize that eating meat was
a serious and sacred act. As part of
the ritual, the person would lay their hands on the head of the animal before it
was slaughtered. Ideally, the
person would have empathized with the animal, thinking, "Knowing how many
mistakes I have made, I am aware that this animal could have been me. But God has accepted an exchange that
will provide meals for the priests and for my family. Thank you animal, and thank you God."
The
person who drew near in order to offer fruit or grain had the opportunity to experience
gratitude, and was sometimes asked to express it using a particular blessing.
From this gratitude, ideally, came additional gratitude for the workers of the
fields, orchards, and vineyards.
The person had the opportunity to realize that he or she too was a part
of the complex, interdependent, and hallowed fabric of God's amazing and
bountiful creation.
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