Purpose of Korbanot

Found 13 Search results

Explaining Korbanot
Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes
The Book of Vayikra is not generally easy to learn. Korbanot (offerings), a concept which often seems foreign to the modern reader, feature prominently. What is the purpose of korbanot? We examine different approaches to help us in our goal of reframing korbanot and bringing them to life to restore their relevance.
How Can We Relate To Sacrifices Today?
Rabbi David Fohrman |
Today, sacrifices seem so alien, how can we connect to the myriad of details associated with animal sacrifice? In this video, Rabbi Fohrman goes deeper into explaining the three main categories of sacrifice and how they create three frameworks of connection with God. Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/
Parshat Vayikra
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 minutes
How do we evaluate the purpose of korbanot? By examining the components of the korbanot at first glance, it seems that they can be misunderstood as being a "meal" for Hashem, as though we are "feeding" Him. However, when we closely examine the nature of the korbanot, we understand that they are actually to benefit mankind - they are a way of exercising religious virtues and of building a relationship with Hashem.
Introduction to Sefer Vayikra
Dr. Mordechai Sabato
The book of Vayikra opens with a discussion of thee voluntary sacrifices - olah, mincha, and shelamim. By closely examining the message of these sacrifices, we can see how the three different voluntary sacrifices express all the basic emotions felt by an individual standing before his Creator.
Parshat Tzav
Dr. Mordechai Sabato
The sacrifices are listed both in Parshat Vayikra, and again in Parshat Tzav - but in a different order. Why? When we closely examine the wording of the two parshiyot, It seems that Parashat Tzav presents a fundamentally different perspective on korbanot from that of Parashat Vayikra. Vayikra offers the individual the opportunity to offer a sacrifice, while Parashat Tzav opens with the constant flame on the altar and the regular daily sacrifice, which express the altar's serving as a representation of the presence of the Shekhina. Therefore, the Torah teaches that the institution of sacrifices is more than just an opportunity offered to the people; it constitutes an essential part of the Mishkan, expressing the constant residence of the Shekhina among the Jewish people.
Why Didn't God Accept Kain's Sacrifice?
Dr. Adina Sternberg
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | | Hour and 2 minutes
Cain is known for committing the first murder, but before his crime, the Torah makes it look like he also brought the first sacrifice. What was wrong with his korban? Why did God accept the offering of his brother Hevel, but not that of Cain? Why doesn't Cain get credit at least for ingenuity? We will attempt to answer these questions through a close reading of the Hebrew text and an analysis of the theological meanings of the different gifts one might give to God.

This shiur delves into ideas about what korbanot are, the good and bad aspects of being a shepherd or working the land, and the meaning of ma’aser (tithing) as representing a partnership. In light of the above, the text is re-examined, assumptions are rejected, and penetrating insights emerge about Cain, Hevel, and the mindset behind Cain and Hevel in their acts of offering to God.
Chametz, Matza and the Altar of God: Between Becoming and Being
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | Hour and 8 minutes
Why are chametz, seor (leavened matter), and honey prohibited from being placed on the altar? Using the Literary Theological Method, we explore the symbolism of chametz, matza, and honey throughout the Chumash in order to shed some light on this question, leading us to a deeper understanding of potentiality and actuality, and of the nature of korbanot.
The Eternal Curse of Eli the Kohen Gadol of Shiloh
Rabbi Daniel Wolf
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | | 51 minutes
Eli, the Kohen Gadol who accuses Channah of drunkenness in the sanctuary and, after realizing his mistake, blesses her – is later told in two different, lengthy accounts that he and his line will be cursed. Why is Eli punished so severely by God – with a curse that seems unprecedented?

We examine the difficulties that come up in the narrative about Eli and, with assistance from a salient reference in the Book of Yirmiyahu, discover that Eli’s erroneous philosophy is the belief in an immoral, capricious god whose sole desire is to be satiated with sacrificial meat. Unlike Shmuel and Channah, who see sacrifices as symbolic and to be accompanied by tefilla and teshuva, Eli and his sons believe that sacrifices are real acts and are given to appease God.

The Tanakh’s emphasis on the curse sends a message telling us how worship of God is meant to be carried out; that God does want us to carry out rituals, but ritual is meant to be imbibed with devotion, kedusha and morality.
Parashat HaShavua Vayikra - What is a Korban?
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 39 minutes
The Book of Vayikra centers around Korbanot (offerings) and the service of the Beit HaMikdash. In this shiur, we will discuss an idea about what a korban is, based on the pesukim of Parashat Vayikra (which is totally centered around korbanot. Does korban mean sacrifice- relinquishing something? Does it mean "coming close" to God? What does a "korban" mean when it refers to blood? What about a korban brings man close to God?
Vayikra: Lasting Impressions
Rabbi Jay Kelman
Vayikra: Salting Our Sacrifices
Rabbi Jay Kelman
R. Yosef Bekhor Shor
Dr. Avigail Rock
R. Yosef of Orléans, (northern France) was a 12^th-century exegete who has become known through the generation as Ri Bekhor Shor. He was a Tosafist, a student of Rabbeinu Tam, and he was influenced mainly by Rashi’s commentary and the commentaries of Mahari Kara and the Rashbam. Like his predecessors Mahari Kara and Rashbam, he was a member of the peshat school. It appears that Ri Bekhor Shor forges a path that is a middle way between Rashi and the pursuers of the peshat. These are his major exegetical principles:
- Ri Bekhor Shor aims to explain the verses without non-biblical information; however, when the derash is appropriate for explaining the peshat and for the general context of verses, or when one may explain it as being in keeping with biblical reality, he will not hesitate to bring a midrash.
- The Torah does not provide superfluous information. All information provided is in fact essential.
- Verses should be explained within their specific context, a reverse method to the foreshadowing principle of Rashbam.
- Verses should be explained based on understanding the state of mind of the human actors.
- Verses should be explained according to the reality of the biblical era.
- God directs the world in a natural way as much as possible, and the use made of miracles is the absolute minimum.
- An expansive and consistent approach to the question of the reasons of mitzvot.
- In the Peshat vs. Halakha discussion, Ri Bekhor Shor is closer to Rashi’s approach with exception in which he explains the verses according to a Peshat that differs from Halakha.
- A tendency to counteract Christian interpretations of the Torah.
Ramban on Vayikra - Appeasement and Atonement
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 34 minutes
What is the meaning of certain sacrifices? We examine Ramban's comments about some of the korbanot at the beginning of Vayikra, and we find ideas about sin as corrupting and mikdash (and Yom Kuppor). as curing. Are sacrifices (and shabbat) for "appeasement" or "finding favor"? Participation in the ritual is about both curing onesself and developing a personal relationship with God.