Rabbi Bockman on Vayikra

Our Torah portion is Vayikra. In this third triennial year we will be reading Lev 4:27 - 5:26. Our reading begins with the procedure to be used when a regular Jew incurs guilt by doing something that ought not to have been done. Before he sacrifices a female sheep or goat, he must publicly admit
the offense he committed. Then the animal is to be burnt upon the altar, following which his sin is forgiven.

The next sacrifice mentioned is to be offered when [For the full text of Rabbi Bockman's D'var Torah, please click on Read More]
a person incurs guilt by NOT doing what he should have done (answered a call to bring forth information that he witnessed) or if he becomes impure by coming into contact with something impure, or if he took an oath that he didn't fulfill, he brings a sacrifice when he realizes that he has done something wrong.

Also we learn that even poor people who can't afford a goat or sheep can rid themselves of their guilt. They should bring two doves. If they can't afford that, pigeons will suffice. And if they can't afford that, they must bring flour to make expiation for their wrongdoings.

Although it seems at times that only people of means can participate fully in the life of the Jewish community, the Torah teaches us that even the poorest person has the same rights and the same responsibilities to get themselves right morally and ritually. Lack of money (or the embarrassment felt because of it) must NEVER deter any of us from doing what we need to do to be righteous. It is for times such as those we are experiencing now that the Torah goes out of its way to teach us that we are all equally worthy if only we find it in our hearts to make ourselves so.

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