每週一妥拉 2018/3/11-3/17
從古時起，世界各地的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經，從摩西五經（妥拉）到先知的書（先知書）。每週的讀經內容都有一個希伯來名稱，其出自經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節，耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂，讀了一段先知書（以賽亞書61章）。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容，不僅提供我們機會，與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容，在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上，聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。
這週的閱讀（3/11-3/17）稱為『呼叫』（VaYikra）：
妥拉：利未記1:1-6:7
正月安息日（Shabbat haChodesh）─出埃及記12:1-20
先知書：以西結書45:16-46:18
這週的閱讀帶領我們進入利未記。利未記這名稱來自希伯來聖經的希臘翻譯，意思是『與利未人有關的事物』。然而，希伯來名稱『VaYikra』（呼叫）是取自利未記的第一個字，提到主從會幕中『呼叫』摩西，給他指示。神不僅渴望住在我們當中─祂更渴望與我們說話和相交。在利未記有五十次寫到神對摩西說話，這卷書的重點在於聖潔─首要的關注是會幕中的敬拜服事─是祭司型的代禱者或介於兩者之間的人可以代表百姓完成他們的工作。這週的內容與五種特定的獻祭型態有關（用每一章來區分）：
這些祭是給一般人，用來處理個人自願所獻的祭，藉以表達感謝、禱告、屬靈交流或渴望贖罪。會幕（神同在的居所），是由所有人所獻的祭來預備，包括男女老少─這些祭代表他們，而不單是代表祭司。
1. 燔祭(利未記1:3-17)：
從牛群(3節)、羊群 (10節)、鳥、斑鳩或雛鴿 (14節)為燔祭。『燔祭』是以某種最完全的形式帶出『對神旨意的順服，整隻動物被擺在壇上燒。希伯來文ohlah 有著『上升』的意思，象徵敬拜中人心靈的上升或升起。藉著所獻之祭升到天上，獻祭之人表達將自己獻上升到天上的渴望。換言之，也就是將自己完全獻給神，在神的服事中擺上自己的生命。
2. 素祭 (利未記 2:1-16)：
獻上細麵、小麥或大麥加上油和乳香。當任何人（一個靈魂）獻素祭時，非常窮的人無法獻上動物，只能提供『素祭』。素祭的希伯來文是mincha，指著所獻之祭不需要宰殺動物。麵粉和油都不是天然產物，而是勞苦所得來的。素祭具有聖化人對神服事工作的特點。在 (2:13)提到：『凡獻為素祭的供物都要用鹽調和，在素祭上不可缺了你神立約的鹽。一切的供物都要配鹽而獻。』鹽扮演著保存、防止腐壞（酵與蜂蜜可以帶來腐壞），鹽也具有『持久』的特色。猶太人家庭在星期五晚上的安息日晚餐上，會在麵包上撒一些鹽，為著神的供應獻上感恩。
3. 平安祭 (利未記3:1-17)：
平安祭（Zevach shelamim）─為著所起的誓(zevach)蒙應許所獻的祭，或感謝所領受或所期待的益處。因此這是當人尋求並得著從造物主而來之平安的慶典。在獻平安祭時會有從內心而來的喜樂，可能是在人生命中慶祝一個開心的慶典，或與個人或家庭中一些重要事件有關。所獻之祭來自牛群(1節)、羊群(6節)、羊羔(7節)或是山羊 (12節)。
4. 贖罪祭(利未記4:1-35)：
罪 (het): 是因著按神形象所造之人沒有按祂所設立的公義而『射中靶心』。世人都犯了罪，甚至在這裡提到人在無意中犯的罪：受膏的祭司犯了罪 (3節)，使百姓陷在罪裡；全會眾整體犯了罪 (13節)、官長犯了罪 (22節)、一般人犯了罪 (27節)。需要血來贖罪並提供赦免。
5-6:7贖愆祭 (利未記 5:1-6:7)：
為罪獻祭還有一些很特別的例子─包括摸了不潔之物(5:2-3)；冒失發誓(5:4)。最後，第六章處理得罪神與鄰舍的罪，需要獻祭賠償、贖罪與赦免。這些都是由祭司『要在耶和華面前為他贖罪』(6:7)。
下週的閱讀進度（3/18-3/24）被稱為『吩咐』（Tsav），妥拉─利未記6:8-8:36；先知書─瑪垃基書3:4-4:6 (大安息日)。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
THIS WEEK’S TORAH PORTION
The Parashah for this week 11-17 March 2018:
TORAH: Leviticus 1:1—6:7
Shabbat haKhodesh: TORAH: Exodus 12:1-20
HAFTARAH (Shabbat haKhodesh): Ezekiel 45:16—46:18
SHABBAT HACHODESH. To commemorate this special first month, an additional Torah portion is read and a Haftarah portion from Ezekiel 45 and 46 takes the place of the usual (Isaiah 43:21—44:23) reading from the Prophets.
This week’s reading brings us into the Book of Leviticus. This English name comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures and means “Relating to the Levites”. However, the Hebrew name VaYikra is drawn from the first word in the book and refers to the LORD “calling” to Moses from the Tent of Meeting to give him instructions. He not only desires to dwell among us—He longs to speak and commune with us. Some 50 times in this book it is written that God “spoke” to Moses. The book’s emphasis is holiness—and regards primarily the services of worship at the Tabernacle—the way that the priestly intercessors or ‘go-betweens’ could accomplish their work on behalf of the people.
This week’s portion pertains to five specific types of offerings (divided generally by chapters):These sacrifices were for the common people as a whole. They deal with voluntaryprivate sacrifices, for expression of gratitude, prayer, spiritual communion or desire for expiation, on the part of the individual. The mishkan (dwelling place of God’s presence), had been prepared by the sacrifice of all the people—men women, young and old—and these sacrifices are on their behalf, not just on behalf of the priests.
1. Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 1:3-17):
From cattle herd (3), sheep (10), birds, turtledoves or young pigeons (14). A “Burnt Offering” carried the idea of “submission of the worshipper to the will of God in its most perfect form, as the entire animal was placed upon the Altar to be burnt. The Hebrew word ohlah signifies “that which ascends”, symbolizing the ascent or rising of the soul in worship. “By making the offering ascend to heaven, the one who offers it expresses his desire and intention to ascend himself to Heaven; i.e. to devote himself entirely to God and place his life in God’s service.” (The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 2nd Ed: The Soncino Press, 1960. Here and in all subsequent quotations).
2. Grain Offerings (Leviticus 2:1-16):
Offerings of Flour, Wheat or Barley prepared with oil and frankincense. “When anyone (‘a soul’) offers a grain offering…” The very poor who could not afford an animal, could offer a “meal offering” The Hebrew is mincha—here referring to a sacrifice not involving slaughter of an animal. The Meal and oil “are not natural products, but are obtained as the result of toil. The meal-offering typified the consecration of man’s work to the service of God” (Ibid.). (2:13) “Every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking in your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.” (Salt acts as a preservative, preventing deterioration and putrefaction—which may be produced by leaven and honey). Salt typifies “that which is abiding.” On Friday evenings in Jewish households, salt is sprinkled on the bread as thanks is offered up for God’s provision.
3. Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3:1-17):
Zevach shelamim—sacrifices ‘made in fulfillment of a vow (zevach), or in gratitude for benefits received or expected. It would thus be an occasion when man seeks and obtains peace with his Creator. In the peace-offering there was inherent a feeling of joyousness, either in celebrating a happy occasion in the people’s life, or some important event in connection with a family or individual”. Taken from the cattle herd (1), the flock (6) (a lamb (7) or goat (12).
4. Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4:1-35):
Sin (het): For humankind, made in God’s image “to miss the mark” of set by His righteousness. All are under sin, even when as here, he or she did it in ignorance: the Anointed Priests (3); the congregation as a whole (13), civil rulers of the people (22), individuals from among the common people (27). Blood was required to make atonement for sin and to provide forgiveness.
5. Guilt and Trespass Offerings (Leviticus 5:1—6:7)
Special cases for sin offerings—coming into contact with impurity (5:2-3); omitting to fulfil a vow (5:4): “trespass”—unintentionally appropriating for one’s own use a ‘holy thing’ from the Sanctuary. Lastly, Chapter 6 deals with sins or trespass against God and against one’s neighbor and the offering required for restitution, atonement and forgiveness. In all of these it is the Priest (the Cohen) who “shall make atonement…before the LORD (6:7).
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[The readings for next week 18-24 March 2018 are called Tsav—“Command!”: TORAH: Leviticus 6:8—8:36: HAFTARAH (Shabbat haGadol): Malachi 3:4—4:6.]