Day 2 (Part 2): Leviticus 17:1-7 (Study Notes)
Day 2 (Part 2): Leviticus 17:1-7 (Study Notes)
(Leviticus 17:1-7)
This chapter opens with a discussion about the types of sacrifices that the people were making prior to the construction of the Tabernacle, Temple, and sacrifice altars.
(Leviticus 17:3-7)
Mentions the ox, sheep, and goats, specifically. Prior to the construction of the tabernacle, these sacrifices were “sacrifices the Jewish people have been making in the open.” This means, prior to the Torah, sacrifices occurred—we know this through reports of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob all offering sacrifices prior to Mt. Sinai.
Now that an official system was in place, however, the sacrifices had to be brought to the temple even if a layperson, not a priest, slaughtered the animal. If the animal is not brought to the temple or the tabernacle (in the wilderness), then “bloodguilt” is imputed upon the one who slaughtered the sacrifice—whether in the camp or country or outside the camp or country of Israel.
Bloodguilt will be imputed if the slaughtered sacrifice is not brought to the Temple because of the blood shed of a living creature.
These sacrifices are to be brought to the temple and offered as well-being offerings to Hashem.
The blood is to be dashed on the 4 sides of the altar, so the sacrifice leads to Chai! Not death.
The fat is to be burned as a pleasing aroma to Hashem.
The command to bring all slaughtered animals to Hashem was to stop the Israelites from offering sacrifices to “the goat demons”—after which they were straying. Thus, pushing live goat off the cliff on Yom Kippur is here strictly forbidden. This is because if the he-goat were pushed off the cliff and not brought to the temple, the nation would be guilty of murder from the law above.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kimberly Davis