Shabbat Service-Weekly Challah,Leviticus, Passover

Leviticus- VAYIKRA (HE called) is the Book of Sacrifice. Sacrifice, nothing worth having comes without it. Relationship, success, parenting ---all demand that we give something up. The physics of spiritual life: you must relinquish to receive. The center of Judaism…where ritual and ethics meet for righteous living. How to connect with God and have meaning in our lives.

After the fall of the 2nd Temple-70 CE, sacrificial worship came to an end.
Interestingly, prayer actually started 500 years earlier, based on prayer, words and intention/gratitude in offering.

Life is not neatly packaged, & fully controlled or comprehensible. It includes tragedies, disappointments, violence … cancelled ports, and sadly, changes in itinerary. Sacrifices, why do we cruise and see the world and visit other cultures? Connection, accountability, intentionality, and personal growth.

The metaphor of being on a ship. Transforms a Book of Torah (Leviticus) that is about static ancient rituals into a guide for a dynamic journey. Firstly, the Ship has become our portable sanctuary.
- A ship provides a map of where we’re going while navigating the unpredictable chaos of the open sea,
Vayikra serves as a manual for sustaining a spiritual "sanctuary" during the journey of life.

- Like a little compass needle, requires focus to follow amidst roar of the wind & waves.
The miniature aleph in the word Vayikra signifies that true guidance often comes in a "small, still voice" & humility rather than a loud command.

- A ship cannot function without every member of the crew filling their role.
Vayikra created responsibility, making every individual accountable to the entire community.

- "Drawing Near" to the Horizon which is always shifting.
Vayikra suggests that "drawing near" to God is a constant process of recalibration. Our "offerings" (time, energy, resources) to close the gap between our current position and our higher purpose.
Offerings (guilt and sin) in Vayikra are like mid-course corrections. They recognize we will drift off course due to "unintentional" errors but provides a ritualized way to acknowledge the mistake and steer back toward the right path. Self-sacrifice for the sake of the vessel’s survival and the mission’s success.Læs mere