Illustration Credit: Elad Lifshitz, Dov Abramson Studio
Tell Me More About This בּוֹאוּ נְדַבֵּר עַל זֶה
Welcome to Sefer Vayikra! The מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan, sanctuary for God in the wilderness) was built at the end of Sefer Shemot, and now we learn all about the קָרְבָּנוֹת (korbanot, sacrifices) that will be offered there.
What are korbanot?
A korban is a sacrifice, which is something a person offers or gives up for a bigger purpose. People make sacrifices all the time. When you spend an hour helping someone, you are sacrificing your time for them. When you give tzedakah, you are sacrificing your money or possessions for those in need. Parents make many sacrifices in order to make sure their children are happy and healthy. The Torah teaches us that we must make sacrifices for God as well.
The word “korban” comes from the word “קָרוֹב (karov, close).” Korbanot help us come close to God and feel a connection with God. (Take a look at this week’s רֶגַע שֶׁל עִבְרִית/A Moment of Hebrew)
Korbanot in the Torah are usually animal sacrifices, although there are also korbanot made from spices, grains, oil, and wine. Korbanot were offered in the mishkan—and, later, in the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָשׁ (Beit Ha-Mikdash, Temple in Jerusalem)—every single day. There were also special korbanot for Shabbat and holidays.
We haven’t offered korbanot the way they’re described in the Torah ever since the Second Beit Ha-Mikdash was destroyed 2,000 years ago. But they can still make us think about the role of sacrifice, gift-giving, and coming closer to God in our religious lives.
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