This Sabbath Torah Portion begins the third book in the Torah, Vayikra, which is also the name of the portion. We are more familiar with the vernacular name of Leviticus.
The portion begins with God calling Moses to speak to him within the holy sanctuary. Moses would not dare enter the tent until now, since “the divine Presence filled the Tabernacle.” It would appear that this signifies a changing role for Moses as a leader, as well as a changing relationship with God.
Most of this week’s portion explains the 4 different types of offering or sacrifices that are presented to God. There are the burnt offering, the meal offering, the sacrifice of well-being, and finally the Sin Offering. The instructions are very detailed; the sacrifices are given freely without blemish and the priests must follow exacting directions to slaughter and accept such offerings. There are instructions for offerings for a poor family that may not afford a sheep or goat. Such offerings are just as acceptable when given with a true heart and pure soul.
There are no explanations when each type of offering is made with the exception of the Sin Offering. The burnt, meal and well-being offerings are totally voluntary, given to honor and please God. The sin offering is acceptable only after full reparation plus 20% is presented to the victim of one’s unintentional sin. To be clear, this is not a license to plan a thief from your neighbor and then bargain for forgiveness if caught. The sin offering is to erase the guilt when a person hurts their neighbor by accident or neglect.
All week, I struggled for a new thought or idea about sacrifices in our modern world beyond the obvious offering of money and time; of which our members already give so generously. Luckily while hunting for something to watch on TV, I came upon a PBS show about Jews and their love of American baseball. Jews have been star athletes on teams since the inception of professional baseball.
Even non- enthusiastic sports’ fans, like me, have heard of Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax. Hank Greenberg was a standout batter for the Detroit Tigers, a “five-time All-Star, “, “ twice named the American League’s Most Valuable Player”, who almost topped Babe’s Ruth mark of most home runs in a single season. Sandy Koufax was a star pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, who “was the first major leaguer to pitch four no-hitters including the eighth perfect game in baseball history.”
So why do I bring up two Jewish athletes in relationship to this Torah portion? Each of these players had to make a decision during their careers to attend Yom Kippur services or play their game. In 1934, during a tight pennant race, Hank Greenberg was given the Rabbi’s blessing to play on Rosh Hashanah, but Yom Kippur was a conflict. Hank Greenberg decided he must respect his religion and tradition and attended religious services instead of playing. His decision was unpopular with the Detroit fans but he received a standing ovation at Synagogue. In 1965, Sandy Koufax was confronted with a similar dilemma. He refused to pitch the first game of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur. This was reported throughout the world press.
These two players made sacrifices to honor God and remember the Day of Atonement. Neither man considered himself deeply religious or observant. But each chose God above their worldly status and accomplishments.
Each of us must determine our own relationship with God. Each of us make decisions when to make sacrifices for God, but few will have the world notice those sacrifices. But, perhaps, your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends and family may take note. Your actions are noticed more than you may think. But regardless, your sacrifice is known to yourself and of course to Adonai.
Shabbat Shalom