Leviticus

In Leviticus chapter 2, we read about the grain (or meal) offerings that are commanded to be brought to Hashem by us, His Jewish people.

When we study passages such as Jeremiah 2:3, we understand that we, the Jewish people, are the first-fruit of Hashem’s harvest. When we look at Leviticus 2 through such a lense of truth, we can understand that instead of offering ourselves (or any human being) in the fires of Hashem’s altar, Hashem commands a “substitute “—the “ram in the bush,” if you will (Genesis 22)—to be burned in our place “as a pleasing aroma to Hashem.

Just as the first-born son is consecrated to Hashem, or the Levites consecrated in place of the first-born sons (Numbers 3:40-50), so grain is consecrated on behalf of every Jew here in Leviticus 2.

The grain is to be offered “with oil”—meaning, the grain is anointed, like a priest…

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We learn in Leviticus 1:4 that in order for a sacrificial animal to be accepted by Hashem, the one bringing the offering is first to lay his or her hand on the head of the animal. This gesture "ensures that the offering will be acceptable on (his/her) behalf, in expiation for (him/her)."

This gesture is similar to the laying on of hands when anointing and appointing priests and kings. But, for non-priests (such as the offering-bringer), this action hearkens to Genesis when Hashem commanded Adam to "have dominion over all of the animals." The hand on the head of the animal during the sacrifice ritual, then, seems to connote, "This is mine, I have charge over this one. This one is anointed and selected on my behalf and on behalf of my sin. "

Thus, it is as if the offering bringer is not only taking charge of his/her own…

In the book of Leviticus, we learn about the animal sacrifice system in detail. This sacrifice system, which was instituted by Hashem at Mount Sinai, is part of the eternal marriage covenant that Hashem gave to His Jewish Israelite (firstfruit) nation and people.

This system offers the life of the animal in place of the life of a beloved Jewish son or daughter. Like the ram in the bush in Genesis 22, the animals given by Hashem make for the perfect atonement for all of the sins of the Jewish people.

This system seems to correlate with the order of creation in Genesis wherein Hashem gave humans dominion over animals. While part of creation, in Hashem's eyes, the animals are lesser beings in His order of creation. Yet, as part of Hashem's creation, the (clean and ordained) animals have the holy spark necessary to atone for the sins of the…