VaYikra (Leviticus) Parasha Summaries
VaYikra
Summary: The Book of Leviticus, or Levites, is concerned with the ritual laws and the sacrificial cult. It describes the details of offering sacrifices. The book's emphasis is on purity and holiness. Parashat Vayikra introduces the main theme of the book, which is sacrifices and other issues related to Israelite worship. In essence, the book is the guide for the Cohanim (Priests) and the Levites (members of the tribe of Levi) who were responsible for overseeing the Tabernacle and facilitating the worship of the Israelites. The parasha presents the different kinds of sacrifices: the Olah (burnt offering), the Mincha (meal offering), the Zevach Shelamim (peace offering or sacrifice of well-being), the Chatat (sin offering), and the Asham (guilt offering).
Tzav
Summary: In Parashat Tzav, the various types of korbanot (sacrificial offerings) that were discussed in the previous portion are visited again. However this time Moses is speaking specifically to Aaron and his sons, the Cohanim or Priests, while last time Moses was addressing the entire people. Since he is now talking to the "professionals," the information has more detail and is geared more specifically to the responsibilities of Priestly service. These details discussed include the taking of the ashes from the altar out of the camp, what the priests are to wear, rules for who may eat the priestly portion of the sacrificial offerings and how it is to be eaten, and the importance of keeping the fire going on the altar. The parasha ends with a description of the consecration of the Tabernacle and the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. The Mishkan is now open for business.
Shemini
Summary: In the last parasha, Aaron and his sons were dedicated as priests and now, in Shemini, the ceremonies for the consecration of the altar have begun. The service begins with Aaron, the High Priest, bringing some forty offerings. After completing the offerings, Aaron blesses the people (according to Rashi with Birkat Cohanim (the Priestly Blessing) see Naso). Then the next set of offerings are to be brought, but something tragic occurs. Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's two oldest sons, prepare their offering, but, the text tells us, they approach the altar bringing a "strange fire". They are immediately "consumed" right then and there by a fire exploding out from God. Aaron remains silent as his sons' bodies are removed by their cousins, and Moses warns Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Itamar, not to mourn. God later speaks directly to Aaron, warning him not consume liquor or other intoxicants. The dedication continues. Further rules are given about the korbanot (sacrifices), and then the parasha lists which animals, birds, fish and insects are permitted or forbidden as food, giving the framework for the laws of Kashrut.
Tazria
Summary: We often have a double parasha, reading from the combined Parshiyot of Tazria and Metzora. These are perhaps, for many, the two most uncomfortable portions of the Torah, dealing with all kinds of issues related to ritual purity and impurity. Ritual impurity, or tumah, has nothing to do with hygiene. Instead, it is a spiritual state which prevents a person from participating in the worship life of the community. One becomes impure through a variety of means, all of which are perfectly natural, such as illness, childbirth, physical discharges and contact with a corpse. Purity and impurity are not related to good or evil. However, impurity is considered to be a spiritual disability. For example, Tzara'at, the skin affliction which is discussed at length in this part of the Torah, is not the biological disease leprosy (as it is has historically been translated - it is probably something more like psoriasis or impetigo, which are common in the desert) but rather a state that the Torah understands as the physical manifestation of a spiritual or ritual problem. This is not a medical treatise, nor are the Cohanim serving as paramedics. Rather, tumah is a purely ritual concern, and as the ritual leaders of the community, it falls upon the priesthood to facilitate purification for those who find themselves in a state of impurity.
Metzora
Summary: Like the parasha before it, the discussion of ritual impurity continues. Houses that have mildew-like growth must be inspected, and may be replastered or torn down. Impurity is also caused by discharges from the body. A menstruating woman is declared ritually impure for seven days. This short parasha is often combined with Tazria.
Achare Mot
Summary: Acharei Mot begins "after the death" of Aaron's sons Nadav and Abihu and proceeds with a lengthy elucidation of the laws of Yom Kippur, directed to Aaron and the priests. The service is described, including the sequence of sacrificial offering, ritual purification, expiation, and the sending of the "scapegoat" into the wilderness. Further rules are then given about offerings, including the prohibition against the consumption of blood, and other dietary laws. Finally, the parasha presents a list of forbidden sexual relationships, concluding with the general prohibition against following the abhorrent practices of other nations.
Kedoshim
Summary: Kedoshim literally means "holy things," and this parasha is a list of behaviours that are either holy or not holy. These laws are both ethical and religious, and sometimes both, as in the prohibitions against certain kinds of incest. Other famous laws in this section include the prohibition against putting a "stumbling block" before the blind, and the commandment to "love your fellow human as yourself." Israel is commanded to be holy just as Israel's God is Holy.
Emor
Summary: This week's parasha begins with specific restrictions directed at the Cohanim (priests). These restrictions pertain to marriages, sexuality and mourning. Cohanim must not come into contact with the dead, except for immediate blood relatives. They are only allowed to marry certain partners, and some kinds of physical abnormalities disqualify them from service. The food that the Cohanim eat may not be shared with "regular" Israelites. And, just as the sacrificial offerings must be perfect, so too the priests themselves must be physically unblemished. In chapter 23, all of the "set times" or holy days are listed and described, beginning with Shabbat and continuing with Pesach, the Omer period, Shavuot, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. The portion ends with a review of the laws pertaining to the menorah, the bread of the altar, and the punishment for murder, maiming and blasphemy.
BeHar
Summary: Behar begins with the laws of the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee year. During the Sabbatical year, which occurs every seventh year, the land must lie fallow, as an acknowledgment of God as the Creator and owner of all. After every 49 years (seven cycles of seven years), there is a "Jubilee" year, in which slaves go free, certain debts are canceled, and land returns to its original titleholders. As the portion continues, further laws are given pertaining to debts and property: one must help people avoid debt-servitude, and one must help people to avoid losing their property. Interest and oppressive financial practices are prohibited. Behar ends with a general reminder to keep God's laws, especially Shabbat and the prohibition on idolatry.
BeChukotai
Summary: Behukotai takes on a different form. The opening verses describe all the blessings and rewards that will benefit Israel as long as they uphold the covenant and follow God's commands. However, following this list of great benefits is a passage which our tradition identifies as the tochechah - "rebuke" or "reproof". It is a much longer list of the curses and terrible punishments that will befall the people of Israel if they do not follow the mitzvot. The portion concludes with additional teachings about vows, tithes and gifts.
