| * | Vayikra / Summary: The Book of Leviticus, or Levites, is concerned with the ritual laws and the sacrificial cult. It describes the details of offering sacrifices. The book's emphasis is on purity and holiness. Parashat Vayikra introduces the main theme of the book, which is sacrifices and other issues related to Israelite worship. In essence, the book is the guide for the Cohanim (Priests) and the Levites (members of the tribe of Levi) who were responsible for overseeing the Tabernacle and facilitating the worship of the Israelites. The parasha presents the different kinds of sacrifices: the Olah (burnt offering), the Mincha (meal offering), the Zevach Shelamim (peace offering or sacrifice of well-being), the Chatat (sin offering), and the Asham (guilt offering). |