We begin the book of Leviticus this week which I know is your favorite book of the Bible. I know you have been waiting all year to read about the sacrifices and laws. We begin by reading about the burnt offering the Holiest of all offerings. This offering belongs only to God. We then read about the peace offering which everyone gets to partake off. The person bringing the offering gets to eat part of the offering as well as the Priest and God gets a portion. The other offerings we read about are the sin and guilt offerings. These belong to God and the Priests.

Great detail is given as to what part of the animal is burned on the alter what part is burned outside of the tent of meeting. We are also told what is done with the blood and the purpose for each offering. We are told wether it is a bull, ram, lamb, goat, dove, or pigeon. We are also told if the offering is to be a male or female.

What stuck out to me this year while reading this Parashat is the male vs female offerings. If a Priest or a community leader sins he must offer a bull as his offering. That is a male cow. Bulls are the most valuable of all the domesticated animals as it is the strongest, tills the land, and offers the most food. If an individual sins they are to offer a female goat, or lamb.

What I find interesting about this is the first human to sin was a woman. Eve took the fruit and ate of it. She as an individual sinned. She then offers the fruit to Adam and he eats the fruit. He has now sinned as well he was the leader he was the Priest of his household. Once Eve gave Adam the fruit it was no longer an individuals sin it was a sin committed by the community. Now a greater price has to be paid because of that sin. When an individual would bring their sin offering it would be a female signaling it was just a personal sin they were atoning for. They are taking responsibility for their actions. When a person of authority would offer their sin offering it would be a male and it would be a greater sacrifice as their actions affect the entire community.

We no longer sacrifice animals which I thank God for everyday. However our actions affect others. They affect our families, businesses, ministries, friends, and coworkers. What are your actions doing to others? What do you need to do get things right with God to protect others?