Parsha Vayikra: And He Called

By Richard Sison | 2017

Introduction

Vayikra is the name of the first parsha, which is also the name of the third of five books of the Torah and it means "He [God] called." Its Greek name Levitikon, "things pertaining to the Levites", and its Latin name Leviticus, where we derived our English name for this book. The Greek mindset of the church fathers attributed this book to the Levites (thus they called it Levitikon) literally disconnecting the readers from its message.

​The intended recipient of the message is very clear in Lev 1:2 “Speak to the children of Israel” - it is not just for the Levites but for the children of Israel. One will argue that its not for the Christians or for non-Jews but if so, why are we reading it to begin with? As a matter of fact, the whole Tanakh and even the whole Bible is intended for the children of Israel. The Messiah Himself said that He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt 15:24). Where does it bring us? Does it mean that we are isolated and not included? Certainly not! After all, Adonai Yeshua said that He has other sheep that are not of this fold [Israel] and I must bring them and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one Shepperd (John 10:16). The book of Leviticus is called Vayikra in Hebrew, which means “and He called.”

My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me,

John 10:27

The message