In need of wisdom (Vayikra)-by Tammy Jacobowitz

Most years, when Shemot (Exodus) gives way to the book of Vayikra (Leviticus), we suffer from a collective sense of discomfort. Detailed rituals take the place of gripping narrative, and we are left without an anchor. Sacrifices, purity and impurity, concerns with holiness and the like find little traction in our world.  The imaginative leap necessary to bridge between 21st century life and the intricate world of Vayikra seems far too ambitious.

Not this year. We have never been more receptive to Vayikra, never more familiar with the deeply embedded structures in Vayikra, never more in need of its wisdom. Vayikra presents rules for all aspects of life, from the most intimate chambers of our homes to the holy of holies. Efforts to safegaurd the sacred center of the Israelite camp — the mishkan or tabernacle — radiates into all mundane aspects of life. The private and the public are governed by the same principles, the same concerns.

Read the full article on The Times of Israel