Thursday, April 24, 2014

Parshat Acharei, (Leviticus 16:1-16:17), 4/6/14

When we are told a story, we ask ourselves either consciously or unconsciously, “what do I make of this.” And so it is with this parshah.

I think this is about intention, as is most of the Torah.

God reminds us that Aaron's sons died because they did not pay attention. Our connection with all is for me the “holiest of holies.” When we make up our own rules that don't account for the wishes of others we will get stung in one way or another.

These offerings make everyone pay attention. It is interesting that the offering is not only to G_d, but to Azazel. Azazel is a precipitous land—a cut-off land.

Wouldn't it be fun to watch this all...to be there? It was a happening if there ever was one. With blood and smoke and bulls/rams/ and goats...wow! What an occasion!

Because we are human we have a tendency to stray—to not pay attention to the consequences of our actions. By having regular offerings (and more modern versions of offerings) we are reminded over and over again that what we do makes a big difference. Life is not a willy-nilly chance operation.

1 comment:

  1. i really like your idea that our connection to all is the Holiest of Holies. interdependent co-arising!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting. One cannot study the Torah alone.