The third book of the Torah, Vayikra/Leviticus, focuses on the sacrificial rites that were an integral part of Jewish life until the destruction of the Holy Temples. For many Jews of modernity, sacrifices are difficult to fathom. Within the sacrificial laws, however, there are many subtle lessons that are pertinent even today, even though there is no Temple.
Leviticus 5:17 states: “If a person sins and commits one of the commandments of the Lord which may not be committed, but he does not know, he is guilty, and he shall bear his transgression.” The Talmud specifically states: “If there is a doubt whether he had committed the transgression, [he is liable to bring] a doubtful guilt-offering” (Keritot 2a).
The Talmud later gives the example of a person who finds out that some fat that he had earlier consumed might not have been kosher. Since he can no longer check the fat, he offers “a doubtful guilt offering.” (If he later finds out that he definitely consumed non-kosher fat, he brings a sin offering.)
Many people have trouble admitting being wrong. It is often much easier to see other’s faults or to presume that someone else is to blame. From the laws of the “doubtful guilt offering,” one might appreciate the lesson of being willing and prepared to admit that in situations of doubt or dispute one might have been guilty of instigating or conflagrating the situation and, perhaps, be willing to take the first step of offering an apology.
This Treat was originally posted March 18, 2015.
Copyright © 2021 NJOP. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Israel’s Memorial Day
The State of Israel’s independence, as well as its continued survival, is a modern day…
0 Comments3 Minutes
A Moment of Reflection
Take a moment and reflect on the heroic contributions and self-sacrifice on the part of…
0 Comments1 Minute
A Wellspring of Technology
If you follow @JewishTweets or are a Facebook follower of Jewish Treats, you may have…
0 Comments2 Minutes