Voices of WRJ: Vayikra

by Fonda C. Hartman Parashat Vayikra (“and God called”), a complicated text for modern readers, deals with animal sacrifice as a way to approach God. The Hebrew word “korban” is generally translated as “sacrifice,” but its root K-R-B, means “to come near.” The High Priests performed these rituals according to the rules specified in this chapter as a way to thank God for one’s good fortune or to ask forgiveness for one’s sins. These rites helped the Israelites feel closer to God. Leviticus contains the laws that will help the Israelites become a nation and preserve God’s “orderly” world. The rules set forth explain what must be done when boundaries are broken. Vayikra speaks in specifics about sacrificial rites and practices, including rules for women as well. One thing that stands out is that, though a person may offer the finest animal for a sacrifice, if they then go out and do “ugly and immoral things, God will not have mercy on him” (Leviticus Rabbah 2:2). After the destruction of the Temple, sacrifice was replaced with prayer. Many believed that prayer was superior to sacrifice as a form of worship. Prayer could be offered anywhere or anytime and consisted of quiet meditations of the heart or words of the mouth expressed in a whisper, a song, or simply spoken. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zachai told his students, “Do not grieve. We have a means of atonement that is equal to sacrifice. It is the doing of kind deeds. For God teaches us, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifices…’” (Avot de-Rabbi Nathan 4; Hosea 6:6). And Rabbi Morris Adler said, “Prayer seeks the power to do wisely, to act generously, to live helpfully.” As I read these words, I thought of my sisterhood at Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim, of Wynnewood, PA. Many of our goals are to try and make a difference and help preserve the idea of God’s “orderly world.” For the last several years, MLRT Sisterhood has been instrumental in providing food and helping to prepare Easter and Christmas meals for the Calvary Baptist Church, a church made up of a very needy population. One group at Main Line Reform Temple collects toys for Christmas which we distribute at the end of the meal. It is a joyous time, as over 100 people are fed at each of these dinners. Another way to help us feel “closer to God” is having a huge rummage sale which enables less fortunate people find very usable, and often boutique items of clothing, as well as household items and toys at a very modest cost. Having worked at this event many times, it fills my heart with joy to see the excitement of our “shoppers.” The third day of the sale is devoted to a large group of immigrants, supported by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, bussed to MLRT through the generosity of Rabbi Straus. These people fill as many trash bags with clothing and other items at no cost. The proceeds of the sale usually benefit our temple or other worthy causes. The list of what MLRT Sisterhood does to help keep our world “orderly” is endless. When I first read the parashah, I was mystified about how to relate my sisterhood to the rules of sacrifice. As I did some research and found that sacrifice was replaced by prayer, and prayer can be related to making our world a better place, my task became easy. Realizing how much my sisterhood does for the betterment of our world certainly is one way of helping God preserve the dream of “order in our universe.” Fonda C. Hartman is a WRJ Board member, and member of Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim Sisterhood, Wynnewood, PA.