Vayikra (parsha) - in The Liturgy

In The Liturgy

The list of animals from which the Israelites could bring sacrifices in Leviticus 1:2 provides an application of the fourth of the Thirteen Rules for interpreting the Torah in the Baraita of Rabbi Ishmael that many Jews read as part of the readings before the Pesukei d’Zimrah prayer service. The rule provides that when the general precedes the specific, the law applies only to the specific. Leviticus 1:2 says, “you shall bring your offering from the domestic animals, even from the herd or from the flock.” Applying the fourth rule teaches that Israelites could bring sacrifices from no domestic animals other than cattle from the herd or sheep or goats from the flock. (Menachem Davis. The Schottenstein Edition Siddur for the Sabbath and Festivals with an Interlinear Translation, 244. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-57819-697-3.)

During the Torah reading, the gabbai calls for the Kohen to “approach” (קרב, k’rav) to perform the first aliah, or blessing on the Torah reading, recalling the use of the word “approach” (קרב, k’rav) in Leviticus 1:5 to describe the priest’s duty to perform the sacrificial service. (Davis. Siddur for the Sabbath and Festivals, at 368.)

Many Jews read excerpts from and allusions to the instructions in the parshah as part of the readings on the offerings after the Sabbath morning blessings. Specifically, Jews read the instructions for the priest’s sacrifices in Leviticus 1:11 (Davis. Siddur for the Sabbath and Festivals, at 221–22), the prohibition on leavening or honey in the incense in Leviticus 2:11 (Davis, at 228), a discussion of the bulls that are completely burned, in reference to the instructions in Leviticus 4:8–12 (Davis, at 236), and a discussion of the guilt offerings referred to in Leviticus 5:14–26 (Davis, at 239).