Leviticus-Chapter-17
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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).
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With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Leviticus Chapter 17 marks a significant
transition in the book, moving from the “rituals of the Sanctuary” and the “Day
of Atonement” to the laws of holiness in daily life. This chapter serves as a
foundational “guardrail” for the nation, centralising the act of slaughter and
prohibiting the consumption of blood. By moving the act of slaughtering animals
from the open fields to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the Torah ensures that
the life of the animal is acknowledged and that the temptation of idolatry is
removed from the common meal.
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Let us read Leviticus Chapter 17, verses 1 to 16: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary on same.
1 And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 ‘Speak
unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say
unto them: This is the thing which יְהוָה - the LORD hath commanded, saying: 3 What
man so ever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth
an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth
it without the camp, 4 and hath not brought it
unto the door of the tent of meeting, to present it as an offering unto יְהוָה - the LORD before the tabernacle of יְהוָה - the LORD, blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood;
and that man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 To
the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they
sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them unto יְהוָה - the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and
sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace-offerings unto יְהוָה - the LORD. 6 And the priest shall dash the
blood against the altar of יְהוָה - the LORD at the door of the tent of meeting, and make the fat smoke
for a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD. 7 And they shall no more
sacrifice their sacrifices unto the satyrs, after whom they go astray. This
shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. 8 And thou shalt say unto them: Whatsoever man there be
of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that offereth a burnt-offering or sacrifice, 9 and
bringeth it not unto the door of the tent of meeting,
to sacrifice it unto יְהוָה - the LORD, even that man shall be cut off from his people. 10 And whatsoever man there be
of the house of
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Commentary of this chapter:
Verses 1-7: (The Centralisation of Slaughter). The Torah demands that any domestic animal intended for food must first be brought to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting as a peace-offering. This law was designed to prevent the Israelites from sacrificing to “satyrs” or field spirits in the open wilderness. By requiring the blood to be dashed upon the Altar of יְהוָה - the LORD, the act of eating meat is elevated from a mere physical appetite to a controlled, sacred act that acknowledges the Source of all life.
Verses 8-9: (A Universal Standard for Offerings). The requirement for centralization is extended to include burnt-offerings and sacrifices brought by both the home-born Israelite and the stranger living among them. This ensures a unified standard of worship and prevents the fragmentation of the faith into private or local cults. Any person who offers a sacrifice outside the designated area is to be "cut off" from the people, highlighting the gravity of maintaining national religious unity.
Verses 10-12: (The Sanctity of Blood). The prohibition against consuming blood is stated with absolute clarity. The reason provided is profound: the “life of the flesh is in the blood”. Because the blood is the chosen medium for making atonement upon the Altar, it is deemed too holy for human consumption. This law instils a deep respect for the life-force of all living creatures and serves as a constant reminder of the sanctity of the atonement process.
Verses 13-14: (The Law of the Hunt). Even when an animal is caught in the hunt, such as a beast or a bird that cannot be brought to the Tabernacle the blood must still be treated with reverence. The hunter is commanded to pour out the blood and cover it with earth. This “burial” of the blood reinforces the principle that life belongs to the Creator alone and must be returned to the earth with dignity rather than being consumed or treated with indifference.
Verses 15-16: (Consumption of Carcasses). The chapter concludes with the laws regarding an animal that dies of itself or is torn by beasts. While eating such meat does not carry the severe penalty of “cutting off”, it does render the person ritually unclean until evening. The requirement to wash one’s clothes and bathe emphasizes that even accidental or secondary contact with death requires a process of purification to maintain the standard of holiness required of the nation.
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My Closing Message:
Leviticus 17 teaches us that there is no such thing as a purely “secular” act in the life of an Israelite. By regulating how we slaughter, how we eat, and how we handle the life-force of the animal kingdom, the Torah bridges the gap between the Tabernacle and the dinner table. It reminds us that reverence for life and the avoidance of idolatry are daily practices that define our identity as a people dedicated to the service of the One True אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God).
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the
following through a number 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
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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