Saturday, March 8, 2014

Torah- 5774, 6 Adar II

Today is 8 March 2014, Gregorian.  Our reading comes from

Annual Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Triennial Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-2:6
Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

After reading this portion of Torah today and listening to Rabbi Mecklenberger last night at Erev Shabbos services, I became aware of something that I had not thought about  for a while; mainly that we can be forgive through sacrifices.  Christians teach that we cannot be forgiven through the sacrifice of blood from bulls, goats, sheep and pigeons, but Torah teaches that not only can we be forgive through the blood of those animals but, if we are too poor to sacrifice even an pigeon, then we can be forgive through the sacrifice of a fine meal offering with oil and frankincense.

The poor should not sacrifice even a pigeon if they cannot afford it.  And the rich cannot sacrifice a  pigeon if they can afford a sheep or bull.  HaShem is most merciful for He has made it possible for us to live a life that might have some sins BUT when we become aware of those sins the we should atone for them according to Torah.  Today, we give money to a Temple fund of some kind rather than sacrificing an animal or bird or a fine flour offering.  (This is because we no longer have a Temple and a sacrificial altar.  When the Temple is restored, then we will return to a sacrificial offering system - or so I have been told.)

Anyway, for many years I was taught that the Christ was necessary because the blood of bulls and goats could not atone for our sins.  But, HaShem says in his Torah that our sins WOULD be forgiven if we offered our proper sacrifice.  I have to believe Torah, not the preaching of some Christian pastors and evangelists.  So should we all. 

Not only that, but if we defraud another person, or deal deceitfully with another person, or rob another person, we are to restore all of what was lost PLUS a 20% penalty.  Then we have to go to HaShem and offer a sin sacrifice in addition to that restoration.  There is no mention of jail time.  His plan is that we restore what we did wrong.  As soon as we are made aware of our sin. 

Truly, the Jews are called to a higher level of behavior than the rest of the world.  And truly we are not only a Chosen People, but we are a Holy People, called out of the world to to the will of HaShem.  May HaShem forgive us should we forget His Torah (Law) and His Mitzvot (commandments.) 

Until next week,
Shalom

PS: I might change some things later but this is the posting as of 8 March 2014 - 6 Adar II 5774.

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