Day 6 (Part 2): Study Notes (Leviticus 5:1-10)
Parsha Vayikra Day 6 (Part 2): Study Notes
(Leviticus 5:1-10)
(Leviticus 5:1-10)
We learn in these verses about the Guilt sacrifice, which is different from the sin sacrifice.
Sin sacrifices are brought by people, priests, or chieftains who have sinned unintentionally by committing anything that ought not be done.
Guilt sacrifices are for those who commit specific sins:
1. When a person does not testify when he or she has knowledge, and is therefore able to provide testimony.
2. When a person touches any unclean thing, thereby becoming unclean themselves.
3. When a person forgets about an oath that he or she made and therefore does not complete the oath and thereby sins.
The Guilt Sacrifice is also different from the Sin Sacrifice in that it works on a sliding scale based on the sinner's financial means. The following offerings are the acceptable sacrifices depending on the sinner's financial means:
Female from the Flock: Goat or Sheep
If you cannot afford the animal of the herd: 2 Turtledoves or 2 Pigeons
If you cannot afford the animal from the flock or the birds: 1/10 ephah of fine flour.
Along with the animal or grain sacrifice, the sinner MUST CONFESS THEIR SIN when they realize they have sinned or their sin is brought to their attention.
Unlike the other sacrifices, there are no specific steps mentioned for the way in which the sheep or goat is to be sacrificed. Only that the sacrifice is brought to the priest, who "shall make expiation on (the sinner's) behalf of the sinner's sins."
(Leviticus 5:7-10)
Teaches us about the Guilt Sacrifice that comes from the birds.
The sacrifice is:
1. Two Turtledoves or
2. Two pigeons
3. Along with confession of sins.
One of the birds is sacrificed as a sin sacrifice, the other is offered as a Burnt Offering.
This fact teaches us about the extra grace and chesed that Hashem has for the poor of His people. If a second bird was not offered on the altar as a Burnt Offering, there would be no atonement, since it is very hard to remove the fat from birds. So, to ensure even the poor can have expiation and full forgiveness, Hashem commands the bringing of two birds, one which is turned into smoke for expiation.
The two birds also allows us to confirm that it is not the blood spilled by the first bird that brings expiation. Rather, expiation comes by the second bird being turned into smoke, see Leviticus 5:10.
In our final lesson of Parsha Vayikra, we will see the same grace with people who are even too poor to bring birds.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kimberly Davis