18 Mar Tzav; The Guilt/Sin Offering

Inspired by the teachings of Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh and Rabbi Moshe Genuth 

“the guilt offering; it is most holy,” which is brought for sins committed, both wittingly and unwittingly.  

The sinner who brings a guilt offering is  obliged to “confess” his guilt of his sin. He is then obligated to continue with the process  his tshuvah/repentance.

The various offerings to Hashem (sacrifices) may be eaten as the Torah specifies according to the level of purity of the one who is designated to eat (eg  kohan priest and non priests).

Although there is an amount of rectification for atonement in the burning of a sacrifice/korbon (may be refered to as a ‘close maker’), there is a category of an atonement process of a guilt/sin  offering that requires only the Kohen to eat from the Korbon.

The Kohan  only is the ‘most pure and suitable vessel’  to be able to consume and elevate this portion of the kobon/offering. He consumes this portion of the Korbon on behalf of the individual and community. He is the only one who can perform this function as it the Kohan whose vessel is spiritually pure enough to consume and elevate the remaining sparks of holiness contained within the offering.  This lends understanding to the unique halachas that apply to the Kohanim, their unique halachic circumstances, and their maintaining a high level of  purity.

The sacrifice of an animal is anything but the callous treatment of an animal.  The entire process requires great sensitivity and empathy.  We imbue an offering with our or sins, and use the animal as a conduit ‘in place of ourselves’ to atone as a sacrifice to G-d.  

Leib Getzel (Lawrence) Lax
Addictions and Counseling
lawrencelax.com
lawrenceJlax@gmail.com