Vayikra: the offerings

Vayikra: the offerings

Vayikra introduces a few fundamental types of oferngs. Two, the olah and shlomim are described in detail and the chatoth uses the more detailed descriptions as a reference.  What do these offerings mean?

The olah, the burnt offering contains the idea of ascent, like Aliya.  The burning in fire is its essence.  The carcass of the animal ( not the skin) is entirely consumed by fire.  I is sometimes called a holocaust  offering.  From that appellation I derive the idea that Gd rewards the total destruction.  There is, perhaps, also a phoenix aspect to the olah. The spirit rises from the ashes.  The olah was the first of the daily offerings.  It fed the fire upon which all of the subsequent offerings were brought.

The shlamim was a feast, with portions  of fat set aside for the altar ( to be burned), portions to be gifted to the Kohen and the remainder eaten, within the time limit, by the donor and her guests,  It is a party, and Gd is invited. It is a peace offering, a small gift to the Divine, and somehow, repayment is expeted.  Gd may be infinite, but you can still have lunch with the boss.

The chatas is an expiation offering,  A sin has been recognized and the  the invisible forces need to be appease.  The chatath is a most holy offering, holier than the olah or shlamim The chatah musters the Kohanic force and the altar to come to the aid of the sinner.  The chatath is slaughtered in the location  designated for the olah’s slaughter and the fats for the altar are like those of the shlamim, and the meat is eaten by the Kohen. 

The earliest men offered sheep and grain.  Sometimes the offering was accepted. Sometimes it was rejected.  The rejection story, the story of Cain, includes strong encouagment for improvement.  Cain picked killing his competitor instead.  Strong motivation to do it right