Parsha:

Vayikra 

Collections: R' Etshalom Sefer Vayikra

Description

As we continue our study of Sefer Vayyikra, we open a new chapter and move from the "Dibbura deNedavah" (voluntary offerings) to "Dibbura deHovah" (obligtory offerings). We note that unlike the opening section with its stated motivation on coming close to God, there is no explicit reason why someone who violated one of these (unexplicated) Mitzvot must bring the offering - nor the consequences of failure to bring. We will revisit these questions after we complete our in-depth study of this section (Vayyikra 4-5). After a survey of the various חטאות and אשמות, we assess the meaning of חטא, the key word in this whole section and find something unusual about its usage in Beresheet and the early part of Shemot - until the חטא העגל - the sin of the golden calf.