Parsha Talk Vyikra 5785 2025

Parashat Va-yiqra [Lev. 1:1-5:26] in a sense takes up where Exodus 40:38 left off. The last passage in Exodus informs us [Exod. 40:35] that “Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” Leviticus begins, “The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, . . . “ We discussed the features of Leviticus which spoke to us [it is my favorite book in the Torah] and what the sacrificial system outlined in the parashah could say to us in 5785/2025. We also considered the nature of the divine-human dialogue: how does it manifest itself? what is it for? and the like. As has been the case since 10/07/23, we are ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza and who need to be returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. In this month of historic redemption may we witness the redemption of the captives. Shabbat Shalom.