Weekly Torah

This week’s Torah Portion is replete with sections on which to write. This section was the “interesting” part of the book for many Christians. It is also the section that many focus upon regarding immoral relationships and connections, and an appropriate response to the sin of homosexuality. And while the chapters dealing with immoral relationships are interesting, this Torah Portion will focus on atonement and chapter 17, specifically verse 11.

The beginning of the section connects to the death of Aaron’s sons in chapter 10. Aaron is forbidden to enter the Holy of Holies for a period of time, but then is commanded that the time is appropriate for him to offer sacrifices as atonement for the people’s sins. God provides specific instructions regarding the types of sacrifices and the date of the sacrifice (seventh month on the religious calendar).

Chapter 17 deals specifically with the importance of the blood for the sacrifice. In fact, the entire chapter clearly states that it is not the act of sacrifice that will bring atonement, but the blood that will grant forgiveness of sins. Verse 11 is the penultimate verse for explaining this concept because it states not only is life possible because of blood, but also that the blood of the sacrifice is the instrument for atonement.

Interesting fact when one considers the various rationales used by anti-missionaries to explain away the fact that true atonement is not possible outside of a blood sacrifice. In fact, I remember specifically a time when I was at an anti-missionary lecture led by Bentzion Kravitz. He took to task a Christian pastor who misquoted Leviticus 17:11 (he quoted Hebrews 9:22 instead). I could not disagree with Rabbi Kravitz’ response to the pastor because we who are believers in Jesus need to know the difference between Leviticus and Hebrews – even if the writer of Hebrews was summarizing the point of Leviticus 17:11 in 9:22. The pastor failed in his efforts to diminish the rabbi’s arguments because he was unprepared and ill-equipped for the moment. However, the truth is still the truth.

And that truth is that since the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people has not been possible. Judaism has attempted to replace the blood as a propitiation (i.e., atonement) for the sins of the people with good deeds (mitzvahs) and personal sacrifice. Yet God does not allow for this alternative anywhere in Scripture (whether it be Leviticus or the Book of Hebrews) and demands blood for forgiveness to be possible. Now before we all rush out to find a way to sacrifice a goat or bull, let’s remember that the ultimate and final blood sacrifice occurred almost 2,000 years ago on a hill called Calvary. God himself became man (Incarnation) and Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. Jesus is our Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and for that reason we can all shout, “Hallel and Shalom!”