A Deep Dive into Scripture
We now enter into the last part of the Book of Leviticus which scholars call “The Holiness Code,” simply referred to as “H.” Rabbi J. Milgom, the greatest scholar of Leviticus in modern times, is convinced it was a compilation of laws dated after 750 BC, but before the exile of 586 B.C., probably associated … Read more
As we said in our earlier post, Chapter 19 is at the center of the Book of Leviticus, and Chapters 18 and 20 “hug” it on either side, both addressing deviant sexual practices, and their association with the pagan cult of Molek. When we look closely at Chapter 18, as well as the parallel laws … Read more
You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2 “… you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am YHWH.” Leviticus 19:18 You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were … Read more
Be careful to observe all my statutes and all my decrees; otherwise the land where I am bringing you to dwell will vomit you out. Leviticus 20:22 The structure of Chapters 18, 19, and 20 and their place in the middle of the Leviticus is of immense importance in understanding the meaning Leviticus conveys. The … Read more
Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings which the Israelites consecrate to me; otherwise they will profane my holy name. I am the Lord. Leviticus 22:2 The Hebrew priesthood, similar to the Egyptian, was a hereditary position. In Egypt, the Pharaoh was an incarnation of the god Ra. As such … Read more
The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelites and tell them: The following are the festivals of the Lord, which you shall declare holy days. Leviticus 23:1f. One’s concept of time is fundamental to one’s cosmology, that is, the way we view our world and how we relate to it. For the Hebrew, time was linear … Read more
Remembering our circular chart outlining the structure of Leviticus, we see that this chapter parallels Chapter 10. Both chapters provide short narratives in a sea of laws, and both serve as warnings, the former for the priests, and now here in this chapter for the people. The former centers on the defiling of sacred space, … Read more
The land shall not be sold irrevocably; for the land is mine, and you are but resident aliens and under my authority. Therefore, in every part of the country that you occupy, you must permit the land to be redeemed. Leviticus 25:23f. To us moderns, land is merely a piece of real-estate bought and sold … Read more
It is a profound mystery why we are what we are and why we do what we do in this life. Somewhere in the depths of our spirit, the innermost core of our being, we believe what we believe, and choose to act on what we believe. Our actions make visible what lies hidden in … Read more
Contemporary readers of Leviticus tend to be underwhelmed with the ending of the book. The main reason for this is we have little to no appreciation for vows and how they functioned in the Bible. On a secular level vows are unavoidable; we are making them all the time by signing business and legal agreements, … Read more