Leviticus-Chapter-5
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three
versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication
Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF),
three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all
other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it
once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Leviticus Chapter 5 addresses the complexities of human fallibility and the social fabric of the community. In the previous chapters, we saw the Olah (burnt offering) and the Shelamim (peace offering), which were often voluntary expressions of devotion. Chapter 5 shifts focus to the Asham (guilt offering) and the Chatat (sin offering) for specific, often unintentional, lapses. This chapter highlights a profound Torah principle: holiness is not just about ritual purity, but about social integrity. It teaches us that our private mistakes or hesitations to act for justice have public, spiritual consequences.
YYYYYYY
Let us read Leviticus
Chapter 5, verses 1 to 26: (JPS-1917
version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary on same.
1 “And if any one
sin, in that he heareth the voice of adjuration, he
being a witness, whether he hath seen or known, if he do not utter it, then he
shall bear his iniquity; 2 or if any one touch
any unclean thing, whether it be the carcass of an unclean beast, or the
carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean swarming things, and be
guilty, it being hidden from him that he is unclean; 3 or
if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever his uncleanness be wherewith he
is unclean, and it be hid from him; and, when he knoweth of it, be
guilty; 4 or if any one swear clearly with his
lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall utter clearly
with an oath, and it be hid from him; and, when he knoweth of it, be guilty in
one of these things; 5 and it shall be, when he
shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that wherein he
hath sinned; 6 and he shall bring his forfeit
unto יְהוָה - the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock,
a lamb or a goat, for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement for
him as concerning his sin. 7 And if his means
suffice not for a lamb, then he shall bring his forfeit for that wherein he
hath sinned, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, unto יְהוָה - the LORD: one for a sin-offering, and the other for a
burnt-offering. 8 And he shall bring them unto
the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and pinch
off its head close by its neck, but shall not divide it asunder. 9 And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin-offering
upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at
the base of the altar; it is a sin-offering. 10 And
he shall prepare the second for a burnt-offering, according to the ordinance;
and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin which he hath
sinned, and he shall be forgiven. 11 But if his
means suffice not for two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he shall
bring his offering for that wherein he hath sinned, the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin-offering; he shall put no oil
upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon; for it is a
sin-offering. 12 And he shall bring it to the
priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial-part
thereof, and make it smoke on the altar, upon the offerings of יְהוָה - the LORD made by fire; it is a sin-offering. 13 And
the priest shall make atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned
in any of these things, and he shall be forgiven; and the remnant shall be the
priest’s, as the meal-offering. 14 And the LORD
spoke unto Moses, saying: 15 If any one commit
a trespass, and sin through error, in the holy things of יְהוָה - the LORD, then he shall bring his forfeit unto יְהוָה - the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy
valuation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt-offering. 16 And he shall make restitution for that which he hath
done amiss in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it
unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of
the guilt-offering, and he shall be forgiven. 17 And
if any one sin, and do any of the things which יְהוָה - the LORD hath commanded not to be done, though he know it not, yet
is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. 18 And
he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy
valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest; and the priest shall make
atonement for him concerning the error which he committed, though he knew it
not, and he shall be forgiven. 19 It is a
guilt-offering--he is certainly guilty before the LORD. 20 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 21 If any
one sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and deal falsely with his
neighbour in a matter of deposit, or of pledge, or of robbery, or have
oppressed his neighbour; 22 or have found that
which was lost, and deal falsely therein, and swear to a lie; in any of all
these that a man doeth, sinning therein; 23 then
it shall be, if he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which
he took by robbery, or the thing which he hath gotten by oppression, or the
deposit which was deposited with him, or the lost thing which he found, 24 or any thing about which he hath sworn falsely, he
shall even restore it in full, and shall add the fifth part more thereto; unto
him to whom it appertaineth shall he give it, in the
day of his being guilty. 25 And he shall bring
his forfeit unto יְהוָה - the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy
valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest. 26 And
the priest shall make atonement for him before יְהוָה - the LORD, and he shall be forgiven, concerning whatsoever he doeth
so as to be guilty thereby”.
YYYYYYY
Below is my Commentary on Leviticus Chapter 5:1-26:
Verses
1-4: (The Responsibility of the Witness). The chapter begins not with a ritual error, but with a civic one.
Verse 1 describes a person who hears a public call for testimony but remains
silent. In Jewish ethics, “not standing idly by” is a commandment. Silence in
the face of truth is treated here as a “sin” requiring an offering. This tells
us that knowing the truth and withholding it creates a spiritual vacuum. Similarly, verses 2-4 deal with “missing the mark” regarding purity
or oaths made impulsively. The Torah acknowledges that we are often
unaware of our impact in the moment; the transgression occurs when we become aware of the
lapse.
Verses 5-13: (The Scalable Offering) - Divine Equity. One of the most beautiful aspects of this chapter is the “sliding scale” for the Korban Olah v’Yored. The Torah explicitly provides options for those who cannot afford a sheep or goat, allowing for two turtledoves or even a measure of fine flour. This ensures that the path to reconciliation is never blocked by a person’s financial status. It suggests that the “value” of the offering is found in the sincerity of the turning (Teshuvah), not the market price of the animal.
Verses 14-19: (Sacrilege and the Unintentional Lapse). The text moves into the Ma’al, a breach of faith against “holy things” This refers to the unintentional personal use of resources dedicated to the Sanctuary. The remedy is unique: the individual must pay back the principal plus a twenty-percent penalty. This teaches us that when we inadvertently take from the “collective holiness” or the community, simply saying “sorry” is not enough; we must add to the common good to restore the balance.
Verses 20-26: (Ethics Between Humans). The final section (often designated as the beginning of a new portion in other traditions, but part of the 26-verse flow here) deals with “breach of faith against אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God)” by harming another human. This includes lying about a deposit, robbery, or finding a lost item and denying it. Crucially, the Torah views a crime against a neighbour as a “trespass against יְהוָה - the LORD”. We cannot be right with the Infinite if we are dishonest with our fellow man. The process of atonement here must begin with full restitution to the victim before the altar can be approached.
YYYYYYY
My Closing Message:
Leviticus 5 serves as a powerful reminder
that our spiritual lives are inextricably linked to our integrity. Whether it
is the courage to speak the truth as a witness or the honesty to admit a
private financial error, the Torah demands an active pursuit of “rightness”.
Atonement is not a magic ritual to erase the past, but a structured process of
taking responsibility, making amends, and moving forward with greater
awareness. May our study lead us to be more mindful of our words, our wealth,
and our witnesses.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down
the page!
This site was originally created, for those who desired to return
to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and
pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our
beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is
always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site
has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the
following via several of our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace
of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food
and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Enter ...