Does the Old Halo Need Polishing?

      Leviticus is a dusty old book, or so many believers think. It is full of blood and gore, strange ceremonies and customs and instances of G‑d getting very angry and snuffing people out. That’s why it often gathers dust—we don’t know what to do with it. Yet, there is a reason why Leviticus was the first book of the Bible that Jewish children were taught. 

      The Hebrew name of Leviticus, “Va-Yikra,” means “and He called,” (Leviticus 1:1). The L‑rd called out to Moses out of the Tabernacle and gave him more instructions regarding how Israel should worship Him and how they should live. The entire book takes place in front of Mt. Sinai and is a continuation of the covenant instructions begun in Exodus. “Leviticus,” the Latin name of the book means “that which pertains to the service of the Levites” [and priests in the Tabernacle]. The names of this book hint at one of the larger themes of the book— the L‑rd’s desire to dwell with His people and to be worshiped by them. 

      G‑d’s people worship Him not only in the Tabernacle (or, our equivalent, the congregation), but also in their daily life. This forms the other major theme of this book. The L‑rd is a holy (morally pure) G‑d and we should follow in this path of holiness (19:2). What did this mean practically, to Israel? Israel was surrounded by pagans in Egypt and was preparing to enter into a land full of depraved pagans. Now, while the people of Israel were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, the L‑rd wanted them to be prepared to deal with this moral pollution. In Leviticus He gave them extensive instructions about how to live a holy life. 

      What does it mean to be “holy?” Kadosh, the Hebrew word can be translated as “set apart, sanctified, consecrated.” In plain English it means that something or someone belongs exclusively to G‑d. A person who belongs to G‑d (is holy) has to act accordingly.

      We today, desperately need to digest the message of Leviticus. Our halo has often gotten very tarnished—often an observer has a hard time telling us apart from our neighbors who don’t know the

L‑rd. There are some lessons in practical godly living for us to re-learn and apply. Let’s blow off the dust and read the book...