April 4, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Vayikra - "And He Called"

In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Vayikra - "And He Called"

• Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-6:7

• Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

• Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Hebrews 10:1-18; Hebrews 13:10-15

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Parashat Vayikra - "And He Called"

Shabbat Shalom, Beloved Family in Messiah!

As we approach this sacred Shabbat, we are invited to dive deep into the richness of God’s Word and His eternal promises. This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayikra, is a beautiful reminder of God’s desire to be in relationship with His people, even through the intricate details of sacrificial offerings. Let’s explore the deep spiritual truths found in these scriptures, as seen from a Messianic Jewish perspective.

Torah Portion: Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1–5:26)

The Book of Leviticus begins with the instructions for offerings, designed to help the Israelites maintain a pure relationship with the Holy One. God, in His mercy, provided a way for His people to atone for their sins. Vayikra speaks of various offerings—burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings—each with specific meanings and purposes. These offerings were not just rituals; they were about drawing near to the Almighty and acknowledging His holiness.

As Messianic Jews today, we see Yeshua, our Messiah, as the ultimate fulfillment of all these sacrificial offerings. In Hebrews 10:11-12, the writer contrasts the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical priesthood with the once-for-all sacrifice of Yeshua:

“But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12

Yeshua’s sacrifice is the ultimate atonement, fulfilling the law and enabling us to draw near to God not through animal sacrifices, but through the blood of the Lamb. As it is written in Hebrews 10:14:

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Unfortunately, much of the Jewish world today do not believe in the finished work of Messiah Yeshua. They believe that they will gain God's favor by doing good deeds, giving "tzedakah" (charity) to others and, following legalistic laws created by the Orthodox Jewish Rabbis. And on days like Yom Kippur, they participate in a ceremony called "Kaparot", which literally means "atonements," similar to Yom Kippur, which is "the Day of Atonement. This ceremony, is a customary atonement ritual practiced by some Orthodox Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur. It involves waving a live chicken above one's head while reciting specific verses from the Mahzor (A Jewish prayer book containing the prayers for the major holidays of the year). The chicken is then slaughtered as a substitute for the individual's sins. But even these Orthodox Jews themselves admit that they have no assurance that by following such practices, they will actually have their sins atoned for. They only "hope so".

This is all due to the fact that the Jewish people are experiencing the partial blindness/hardining of the heart that Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) spoke about in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament):

"25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;27 For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27

But we, as Believers in Messiah Yeshua, have the assurance of the ultimately sacrifice He paid on the tree for us! The full atonement is paid for by the finished work of Yeshua, not by any thing that we could ever do to deserve atonement for our sins.

"8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Therefore, we need to pray for the partial blindness to be removed from the eyes of the Jewish people so that the promise will be fulfilled: "And so all Israel will be saved" Romans 11:26.

"For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" Romans 11:15

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Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21–44:23; Malachi 3:4–24

Isaiah 43:21-44:23 speaks of God’s faithfulness to His people and the futility of idol worship. In verse 21, God declares:

“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” Isaiah 43:21

This is a powerful reminder that we, as believers in Yeshua, are part of that people. We are formed by God’s hand, redeemed by the blood of Messiah, and called to declare His praises.

The Haftarah portion from Malachi also emphasizes God’s refining work in our lives, pointing to the coming of the Malakhi (Messenger), who would prepare the way for the Lord. This is a direct reference to John the Baptist and, ultimately, to Yeshua.

Malachi 3:1 says,

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple.”

Yeshua is the fulfillment of this prophecy, coming as the one who refines and purifies us.

Brit Chadashah (New Testament) Readings: Hebrews 10:1–18; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20

In the Brit Chadashah (New Testament), we read in Hebrews 10:1-18 about how the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were never able to fully cleanse the conscience. Yet Yeshua, through His perfect sacrifice, has made a way for us to be sanctified and reconciled to God.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

This truth should fill us with awe and gratitude! We are no longer bound to the old system of sacrifices; instead, we are cleansed by the precious blood of Yeshua. As we live out this freedom, we are called to reflect His holiness in our lives, as Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

This call to holiness is not just about outward behavior, but about allowing the Ruach Ha'Kodesh (Holy Spirit) to work in us, refining us as vessels of honor for His Kingdom.

A Spirit-Filled Message for This Time:

As we reflect on this week’s readings, we are reminded that God desires to be close to us. Through the old sacrificial system, He provided a means for His people to come near. But now, in Messiah Yeshua, we have even more—direct access to God through His Son! We don’t need to bring offerings of animals, for Yeshua is the once-for-all offering! He is the fulfillment of the law, the fulfillment of the prophets, and our ultimate redemption.

Let this week’s portion challenge us to live our lives that reflect His holiness. Just as the priests were called to be set apart, we too are called to be set apart in a world that desperately needs the light of the Gospel. And as we meditate on the refining fire of God, let us remember that the trials we face are a means by which He purifies us and draws us closer to Himself.

A Blessing for This Shabbat:

May this Shabbat be a time of deep reflection on the love and sacrifice of our Savior. May the Holy Spirit empower us to live lives worthy of the calling to which we have been called, and may we, like the people of Israel, declare His praises to all the world.

Shabbat Shalom!

With Love and Blessings,

Dr. Hadassah Elia and Elihana Elia