The Book of Vayikra (Leviticus)

This week we start reading the book of Vayikra.

When children are first introduced to the world of Torah, their learning is supposed to start with the book of Vayikra. This seems like a strange choice. The book deals with the laws of korbanot - sacrifices or offerings. These laws do not apply to day (since we no longer have a temple) and their purpose is a matter of much dispute among the most learned of adults, not to mention the fact the teaching children about animal sacrifices could be disturbing. If we, as adults, have trouble relating to this book, why would we teach it to children as an introduction to Torah? Why not start with the relatable stories of Genesis or Exodus?

The midrash addresses this issue and responds “Children are pure and sacrifices are pure. Let the pure occupy themselves with the pure.” (This, by the way, is in stark contrast to the Christian idea of “Original Sin”.) If we think about it, what impression would children get if their first introduction to the Torah would be the book of Genesis? The book starts with Adam and Eve disobeying the one commandment G-d gave them. Then moves on to fratricide (Cane killing Able), and continues to vicious sibling rivalries (Jacob and Essau, Joseph and his brothers.). Exodus is not much better. The book of Bamidbar (Numbers) could be called the book of complaining. Whatever the issue, the Jews were complaining and therefore had to wander aimlessly for forty years until a new generation arose, one free from the slave mentality of their parents. In Devarim (Deuteronomy) Moses exhorts the Jews not to repeat the mistakes of the past, which would further delay their entry into the land of Israel. While these books are all full of great examples of moral strength, an impressionable child might be left with a skewed picture of what Judaism teaches.

Teaching about the korbanot properly can instill in the child some of the most basic messages of Judaism. Rabbi Kelman says:

I would suggest that the most important message of the korbanot - especially as it relates to children - is the importance of sincerity. Time and time again the prophets protested the bringing of sacrifices by the Jewish people. They emphasized that the mere bringing of sacrifices was unacceptable, even hated by G-d (see Isiah 1:11-14). Atonement was not possible unless accompanied by a sincere desire to improve. Otherwise it is just a meaningless unwanted ritual. A true korban made one closer to G-d and had lasting impact on the person. We live in a world full of insincerity. The inculcation of this trait must begin at a tender age so at least our children can lead the way to sincere worship of G-d