Shabbat Shalom – Vayikra

No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire.

Leviticus 2:11 King James Version

Yehoshua Gordon explains why leaven and honey were not acceptable as offerings in his third lecture this week (about 8:00). The leaven represents human arrogance. Unleavened bread represents humility. Honey, or any sort of sweetness to us, represents our desires. We are to give Yehovah what He wants, not what we want.

That might explain why Cain’s offering in Genesis 4 was not as acceptable as Abel’s. Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. Was Cain’s offering perceived as arrogance? Did it contain leaven or honey or anything sweet?

Lake Michigan at Gillson Park Beach
Lake Michigan at Gillson Park Beach

Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

23 thoughts on “Shabbat Shalom – Vayikra”

  3. I am always intrigued by other cultures. I listened to a bit of Rabbi Gordon’s clip, I admit I got a bit confused. But, his intro in English made total sense, a poor person can only offer what they have.

    I practise Raja Yoga Meditation and it is always said a hand full of rice offered by a less wealthy person, has the same value as an expensive offering from a rich person. For it is the love, sincerity, the contribution, the understanding that God sees. And of course we are all vegetarian no meat, fish, eggs.. and no onions or garlic. Onions and garlic causes disturbances in the body that prevent Meditation and also impact our ability to make good choices in life.

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    1. I like that reminder that the gifts of a less wealthy person has the same value as expensive offerings..

      Interesting explanation about onions and garlic that they impact our ability to make good choices in life. My diet is primarily vegetarian except for eggs.

      I used to practice a form of quiet meditation while attempting to sit cross-legged. What I do now is called “praying in tongues” quietly as I walk, sit, attend meetings. It comes as the result of a baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is like mantra recitation except I don’t understand what the words mean. I can do this for hours keeping people and situations in mind or offering thanksgiving and praise. The interpretation comes from the Holy Spirit.

      Blessings to you. And thank you for your comments.

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      1. Praying in tongues-interest never heard that. I keep things simple, let God’s goodness make me good and I be the best I can to myself and others. I meditation sitting down, sometimes cross legged, sometimes on a sofa and walking around.

        It is always lovely to learn and comment with others, I learn so much more.
        .have a great day

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      2. The new testament translators took the רוח הקןדש reference to the 13 tohor middot and worshiped it as God, yet then denied the existence of the Oral Torah or called it merely rabbinic Judaism. LOL Rabbinic Judaism – the religion – the Rambam established with his statute law code of religious laws.

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      3. The “honey” referred to comes from figs not bees. A fundamental distinction. On Chag Shevuoth, counting the Omer to remove avodah zarah from within the hearts of the chosen Cohen nation who accepted the Torah @ Sinai @ Horev, the Torah commands offering 10 loaves of leavened bread. Why 10? 10 plagues, 10 spies who spoke לשון הרע against the oath sworn lands, and of course the Xtian religion refers to the 10 commandments … while the Torah commands 613 specific commandments. LOL

        This type of commandment, called חוקים, requires Aggadic דרוש research to understand the mussar which חוקים command. Aggaddah stands upon the axis of דרוש\פשט aimed at “understanding” the mussar which the NaCH prophets command the generations. Dates qualify as a first fruits offering. The Torah lists dates דברים ח:ח as one of the 7 species. Chag Shevuoth, the dedication of the first fruits includes leavened bread.

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        1. Why? Does he teach a method of how to learn? Anyone can comment on ancient texts. But to show how the Framers learned – this wisdom requires great skill.

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        2. Parshat צו, chapter Five: ז: יא -כז

          Chag Pesach, the opposite book end of Chag Shevuoth.  Chag Pesach possession of חמץ during its 7 days, the Torah decrees כרת, the exact same din imposed upon the Wilderness generation following the לשון הרע spoken by the spy representatives of the 10 tribes; the identical decree of the division of the two kingdoms of Yechudah and Israel after king Shlomo worshiped avodah zarah.  כלל Torah law always learns by means of precedents.  דיוק Except the first Commandment @ Sinai defined by the 13 tohor middot @ Horev, the likes of which has no previous precedent.

          The Torah commands mussar through the instruction of משל\נמשל דיוקים.   All foreign efforts to learn the Torah without the Oral Torah, utter vanity.  Both the new testament and koran testify to the total vanity of the counterfeit “daughter religions”.  How does Chag Shevuoth dedicate חמץ and honey dates?  From what Torah precedent do these Chag Shevuoth dedications learn?  Answer:  דברים כב: יא, Shatnez ויקרא: יט – יט, and Tzitzit במדבר טו: לז – מא. 

          Avodat HaShem conducted by Cohonim through korbanot dedications, these Cohonim did not wear Tzitzit on their 4 cornered garments, and also their garments mixed wool and linen!  These precedent contradictions, they supply a depth understanding between Pesach which makes ownership of חמץ to carry the din of כרת.  Whereas on Chag Shevuoth the Cohonim dedicate both חמץ and Shatnez.  Why?

          The Goyim never accepted the revelation of the Torah @ Sinai @ Horev.   The redemption from Egyptian avodah zarah – oppression and judicial injustice – Chag Shevuoth where Israel accepts the revelation of the Torah @ Sinai @ Horev, our avodat HaShem transforms in the eyes of the Goyim into avodah zarah.   Goyim simply cannot fathom the “strange worship” of HaShem by Jews.

          Just as Jews make an הבדלה which separates the t’rumah of shabbot from chol, so too and in like measure Jewish acceptance of the revelation of the Torah @ Sinai @ Horev.   These Divine revelations of HaShem too decrees an eternal separation between @ Jews @ Goyim.  The 611 Torah commandments which Moshe instructed Israel after 80 days on the mount, these commandments have no legs to stand up by themselves alone.  Torah commandments teach and learn other Torah commandments; and both this and that serve to understand the first two Torah commandment revelation @ Sinai @ Horev.

          The logic of the Oral Torah learns the revelation of Torat Moshe through this sh’itta.  Attempts to learn, explain, or understand the Written Torah without the Oral Torah revelation … ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.’  Let’s learn.

          ויקרא ז: יג — על חלת לחם חמץ יקריב קרבנו על זבח תודת שלמיו

          A shalom dedication, completely unique.  Why?  Shalom can only thrive among bnai brit allies who accept the revelation of the Torah @ Sinai @ Horev.   This korban, stands unique that allies dedicate it to build the hearts of their fellow brit allies.   Important to build the heart/confidence\ of ones’ brit allies that in times of a pinch, they can trust that their brit neighbors have their backs.  The mitzva to love one’s neighbor as oneself – only applies strictly to oath brit allies – and never to enemies.

          The Torah oath brit alliance applies only and strictly between folk to honor and respect the precondition that avodat HaShem requires tohor middot.   The korban shalom makes a permanent din of כרת between bnai brit Israel from non bnai brit Goyim.  Adjacent to this כרת din, the negative commandment against eating חלב\forbidden fats/ likewise carries the din of כרת.  In like manner the negative Torah commandment against eating living blood, fit to through upon the altar, eating this forbidden living blood too carries the din of כרת.

          Learning by means of adjacent … clarifies ז: יח ,,, תרגום אונקלוס: לא יהי לרעוא דמקרב יתא לא יתחשב לה , מרחק יהי ואנש דתיכול מנה חובה יקבל
          The language חובה יקבל, the criminal absorbs 40 lashes which makes atonement for the decree of כרת.  The Torah limitation of lashes to 39, this commandment does not apply to Goyim who share no oath brit alliance.  But does apply to the gere toshav, temporary residents who keep the 7 mitzvot while they live within the borders of the  Sanhedrin’s judicial jurisdiction.  The Torah makes distinction between the ger toshav from the refugee Goy who has no Torah rights or protections.

          A Ger Toshav, based upon the precedent of Yetro, has permission to dedicate a korban shalom together with Israel.  A refugee Goy/Balestinian, and all other Goyim living abroad can commission only a burnt offering dedication.   

          A Ger Toshav shares a trust relationship with Israel, whereas the refugee aliens and all other Goyim, excluded from even slaughtering common meats, lest they perform the ritual slaughter, in the name of their Gods.   This stringency learns from the oath brit which Yaacov and La’van swore, and which Bil’am profaned.  Hence the positive commandment to either give as a gift to a Ger Toshav, the meat of a trief animal, or sell for a profit that same trief meat to a refugee Goy.

          י – ב
          A precise משנה תורה precedent: דברים טז: יג – יז.   The 3 regalim apply strictly and only to bnai brit Torah allies.  A slightly distant precedent: כג: ג – ז.   The exclusion of mamzarim and son of Lot from making an oath brit alliance with Israel.  Why the mamzar?   The Torah commands not to put to death a son for the crimes of his father or the reverse.   Betrayal serves as the common denominator between the mamzar and the sons of Lot.

          A exact precedent: כג: כב – כד: יג.  Herein understands in like manner מצא בה ערות דבר.   Marriage serves as an excellent example wherein partners trust one another.  Compare this exact precedent with a distant precedent: ה: ו – טו; ז: יז – כו; יב: כט – יג: ו; יז: ב – כ; כ: י – כא: ט; this precedent explains the chiddush of Boaz in the Book of Ruth, which permitted the Moavite women into the brit alliance.  Permission given to the daughters of Lot compares to the negative commandment not to cut down fruit bearing trees. Other distant Torah commandments: ל: טו – לא: ו; לג:כד – לד: יב.

          A distant precedent learned from ירמיה;  א: יג – ב: ג.  G’lut represents the brit choice of death.  Contrast this previous distant precedent with an exact precise precedent of mussar: ה: ל- ו: טו.   The sign of a robber thief – such a man as this, lacks all shame.   With a light heart the רשע inflicts misery, oppression, and death; something comparable to how a small child plays with his toys, feeling joy and satisfaction.

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        3. The commentary presented to you, shows a clear logical linkage between the 5th Book of the Torah to the 3rd Book of the Torah. It then does the same with the prophet Yirmeyahu. This learning as a rule refuses to take a verse out of the context of its sugia. Based upon the rule: taking words out of their original contexts = lies and propaganda.

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  5. I am back again. I googled frankincense and I saw the picture and us indian use it cooking sweets ( that are filled with nuts and warm spices ( cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg), healthy sweets). Or healthy drinks when someone is unwell or has come out of hospital.

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      1. I think it is a kind of fragrance also. As I understood Leviticus 2, they burned the unleavened bread with oil along with some frankincense. as the offering. The frankincense was not part of the bread/oil food, but I might be wrong about this.

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