Vayikra: presence and absence

We begin the chapters of the sacrificial rite.  What animal is slaughtered, has its blood sprinkled, has its fat and kidneys removed, and gets burned up .  The classes of sacrifice: olah, shlamim, chatoth, asham. These are the rites of expiation and thanksgiving, I am glad that we still read them.  

What are these sacrificial activities?  Many are ritualized components of apology, part of the formula for expiation, No gift makes up for a wrong. But the gifting ritual helps re-establish the damaged relationship so that more experiences can be shared... and more slights committed. 

The trigger that initiates the sacrifice is the realization of error, guilt,  That leads to the need to correct the consequences of the error - generally an impossible task.  The rites that are listed address the repair of a rift made in the Divine covenant by the erroneous act.  After sinning,  one should feel that heaven will be angry and requires amends.  It is only through the formula that a person can know how to approach the problem.  The  true beneficiary of the sacrifice  is the donor. The penitent has a way to express remorse and can now move on. 

The errors that lead to this apology ritual are often expressed in terms of lapse.  There is a lack of realization, an absence of mind.  This is followed by a recall, an Oh My Gd moment.  The animal sacrifice is the appropriate antithesis of absence. Death, including animal death, is an overwhelming presence, it is a change that is beyond palpable, its impact on the infinity of futures screams through its silence. The one who sinned through neglect has prompted and undeniable consequence.  

It is hard to realize that the aftermath of an error fades over eternity, 

A formula to help get back on track is useful. 

Sleepers Awake