© 1996-2013 TorahTots.com PARSHA ON PARADE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY DEAR FATHER AND REBBI: HARAV HAGAON RAV YESHAYA SHIMANOWITZ Z'TZL , ROSH YESHIVA IN YESHIVAS RABAINU YAAKOV YOSEF (RABBI JACOB JOSEPH YESHIVA - RJJ) IN NYC FOR OVER 23 YEARS. NIFTAR ON 20 ADAR 5758 - MARCH 18, 1998. MAY HE BE A MAYLITZ YOSHER FOR ALL OF KLAL YISROEL. AND MY DEAR MOTHER REBITZEN BRACHA ETEL SHIMANOWITZ A'H WHO DEVOTED HER ENTIRE LIFE TO MY FATHER AND HIS TORAH, NIFTERA ON 21 TEVET 5770 - WED EVE. JANUARY 6, 2010. MAY SHE BE A MAYLITZA YOSHER FOR ALL OF KLAL YISROEL . Menachim Z. Shimanowitz You too can dedicate a Parsha or any other section of Torah Tots in honor or in memory of someone close to you. For further info, click here. פרשת ויקרא PARSHA FACTS NUMBER OF MITZVOT: 16 11 MITZVOT ASEH (POSITIVE COMMANDMENT) 5 MITZVOT LO TAASEH (NEGATIVE COMMANDMENT - PROHIBITION NUMBER OF PESUKIM (SENTENCES): 111 NUMBER OF WORDS: 1673 NUMBER OF LETTERS: 6222 HAFTORA: (Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha) Yeshaya / Isaiah 43:21-44:23 HASHEM CALLS MOSHE In our last episode, the Bnei Yisrael celebrated the Chanukat (inauguration of) Hamishkan for 8 days, During these 8 days, Hashem instructed Moshe in the rituals performed by Kohanim and Leviyim. As our Parsha opens, the Shechina has descended and filled the Kodesh Hakodoshim. Hashem informs Moshe that He will meet with him in the Mishkan. But Moshe won't cross the line! Here's one reason why: Moshe's standing in front of the Mishkan surrounded by all the Jewish people who have contributed materials to the building of the Mishkan. He's the only one who gave nothing. So Hashem tells him: "Their job is done but yours has just begun. Come into the Mishkan and I will give you instructions concerning the Korbanot (sacrifices) so that you may teach them to the Kohanim and Bnei Yisroel. THE BIRDS AND THE BEASTS Three types of unblemished, kosher domestic animals may be used for Korbanot in the Mishkan. Each one reminds us of the greatness of the Avot (forefathers): OX - Avrohom ran to get an ox to serve his guests. SHEEP - Yitzchok is compared to a lamb when he was brought as a sacrifice. GOAT - Yaakov was instructed by Rivka to take two kid goats from the flock and bring them to his father. Only two kinds of birds can be offered. Mature turtle DOVES     and Young DOVES (pigeons). KORBAN CATEGORIES Parshat Vayikra introduces 5 types of korbanot. Olah (burnt offering). Let's say that you're just in the mood to donate a korban as a gift to Hashem of your own free will. You have a choice of giving an ox, a lamb, a goat, a turtledove or a pigeon. Based on your bankbook, you bring whichever one you can afford. The birds may be male or female. The animals, however, must be male. But don't think Hashem won't appreciate your korban! For your unsolicited effort, Hashem will forgive any sins that involve neglecting a positive Mitzvah, transgression of certain negative commandments, and thinking sinful thoughts. This Korban is completely burned on the Mizbayach (altar). Korban Mincha (meal offering). If a person is too poor to afford even a bird offering, he can offer a Korban Mincha, made up of flour, oil and spices. The combo can be prepared 5 different ways; 1 raw, 2 baked and 2 fried. With all these varieties, the Torah forbids the use of leavened dough, the dough may not rise. (shades of Pesach). The Kohain carries the Mincha offering to the southwest corner of the Mizbayach. He places his hand in the vessel containing the flour mixture and, bending three middle fingers over his palm, he fills it with flour. He uses the thumb and pinky to wipe off any excess flour. This procedure is called Kemitza. This fistful, topped by the spices and salted, is then burned on the Mizbayach. The rest of the Mincha is divided among the Kohanim for them to eat. Korban Shlamim (peace offering). The Korban Shlamim, which may be a male or female animal, is a peace offering. Let's say you're feeling extra special and everything's going your way. The Shlamim is a great way to make Hashem a part of that feeling. Shlamim means peace, because everyone shares in this korban. The Mizbayach gets its part. The owner and his family get most of the animal to eat, and even the kohanim get in on the action, as they receive the chest and leg to eat. Korban Chatat (sin offering). There are different kinds of Korban Chatat listed in Parshat Vayikra. This is the most common example. Let's say you make a mistake and accidentally transgress certain types of negative commandments. You must bring a Korban Chatat. This Korban must be a female goat or sheep only. Bull of the Kohain Gadol. If a Kohain Gadol, ruled in error that a particular act is permitted and he himself performed this act in sin, he must bring a Bull as a Korban. (Again - this only applies to certain sins). Bull for Hidden Matters. If the Sanhedrin, (the 70 member Jewish Supreme Court), issued a mistaken ruling as a result of which a majority of Bnei Yisroel transgressed a negative commandment, the Sanhedrin must bring a Bull as a Korban. (Again - this only applies to certain sins). The King's He-goat. If the King makes a mistake and accidentally transgress a negative commandment. (Only certain ones). He must bring a Korban Chatat, except that his korban must be a male goat. Korban Oleh V'Yored. (the Adjustable sacrifice). This Korban Chatat is brought when a person; lies under oath claiming he does not know of facts in a case that he really knows about, or accidentally lies under oath, or enters the Mishkan while impure. This Korban calls for a female goat or sheep. However, If a person cannot afford an animal, one may bring two turtledoves or pigeons. The first bird offered is the Korban Chatat, while the second bird is a Korban Olah. If one can't even afford the birds, he must bring a Mincha sin offering consisting only of wheat meal with no oil or spices. This is why this Korban is called Korban Oleh V'Yored (the Adjustable sacrifice). The requirements are adjusted according to a person's means. Korban Asham (guilt offering). There are five reasons to bring a "guilt offering." Only 3 are mentioned in this Parsha: Let's say Reuven steals from Shimon, and then Reuven swears in Bet Din (court) that he did not steal. But Reuven starts to feel guilty. He must return what he stole plus one-fifth of the value more. Then he brings the Korban Asham Gezailot (for stealing). If a person uses something that's dedicated to the Mishkan for personal pleasure, like wood that is dedicated for burning on the Mizbayach. This is called Me'ila (embezzlement). For this sin a person pays back the value plus one fifth and brings a ram as a Korban Asham Me'ilot. If a person eats meat that contains fat, but he's not sure if the fat is Chailev (forbidden fat). He brings an Asham Taluy (doubt). If he later finds out that it really was forbidden fat he must then bring a Korban Chatat. MORE MITZVOT The Parsha introduces two new commandments. One is the Mitzvah for a Kohain to salt all sacrifices on the Mizbayach. The second Mitzvah is about stolen objects: If a guy steals a salami, for example, he isn't allowed to eat it and pay the owner back with money. It is a Mitzvah to return the original salami. If he already ate it, he has to pay the value plus an additional fifth (20%). The Parsha also mentions not to eat blood or certain fats of animals. RULES OF A KORBAN Hashem explains to Moshe the basic rules of bringing a Korban. This is the way it's done: Hava'a (bringing a korban): Let's say you want to bring a korban. The first step is for you, yourself, to bring the animal to the Azara (the courtyard of the Mishkan). Semicha (resting the hands). Next you take both hands and place them on the animal's head with all your might. Vidui (confession). During Semicha, If you are bringing the sacrifice to make up for a sin, it's time to confess! And not edited versions either! You've got to say "I have sinned in such-and-such a way and I did teshuva. May this korban make up for my sin!" Shechita (slaughtering). Now the animal is slaughtered on the north side of the Azara, even by a non-Kohain. Kabalat Ha'dam (receiving the blood). A kohain catches the flowing blood in a "kli sharait", a special pan built for this purpose. Holacha (walking). The Kohain takes the pan with the blood over to the Mizbayach. Zerika (sprinkling). The Kohain sprinkles some of the blood onto the Mizbayach. Shefichat Sherayim (pouring the left over blood). The Kohain pours the left over blood onto the base of the Mizbayach where it drains. Hafshait venitu'ach (skinning and severing). The animal is skinned and cut up. Hadacha (rinsing). The pieces of the Korban are rinsed. Melicha Vehaktara (salting and burning). The parts of the animal that are burned are brought to the ramp of the Mizbayach. They are salted and brought to the top of the Mizbayach. The "gid hanasheh", the sciatic nerve in the animal's thigh, is removed and the Kohain places the animal parts in the fire where they are completely burned up. FOR THE BIRDS Sacrificing a bird is a whole different story! Ever hear that a kohain's thumb nail was long and sharp? Well, it's true! That's because when it comes to sacrificing a bird, there's no knife involved. The Kohain just uses his nail to slice through the windpipe, throat and neck bone. With four fingers the Kohain holds the neck and with the thumb of the same hand he slices. This step is called "Melika" (nipping). This is one of the most difficult jobs in the Mishkan requiring great skill. Next comes "Mitzui ha'dam," pressing the blood. The kohain squeezes the bird's blood out onto the Mizbayach. Now the bird's head is salted and burned on the Mizbayach. This is called "Haktarat Harosh." The bird's intestines and crop are disposed of in the "Bait Hadeshen" - a place on the eastern side of the Mizbayach. Lastly, the Kohain pulls the bird apart by hand into two connected halves (not split completely - the two parts remain attached). The bird is then burned completely on the Mizbayach. Tune in next week as Hashem speaks to the sons of Aharon about - you guessed it! - more Korbanot in the next episode of: See the Midrash Maven on Vayikra It's about 2 weeks to the Pesach / Passover Seder. 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