This week’s Parashat, Parashat
Vayikra (Vayikra / Leviticus 1:1-5:26), details five types of
korbanot (sacrifices). The Torah states that only three of all the kosher animals would be acceptable
to offer as a korban upon the altar. These animals were to be defect-free oxen, sheep, and goats, and
only two birds were allowed, turtledoves and pigeons. In addition to this, a poor person may offer a
grain offering and this grain was used to provide bread for the Kohanim (Priests). The five types of
korbanot are (i) the Olah Offering (“Ascending offering”), (ii) the Minchah Offering (“Meal
offering”), (iii) the Shelamim Offering (“Peace offering”), (iv) the Chatat Offering (“Sin
offering”), and (v) the Asham Offering (“Guilt offering”). While reading through this
week’s Parashat, the verse in Vayikra / Leviticus 2:13
caught my eye which says 2:13 ‘Every grain offering of yours, moreover,
you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your
grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. (NASB) According to the
Scriptures, all of the flesh that is offered upon the altar is to be salted but here we find the command
to salt even the grain offering before it is to be offered upon the altar. What is the significance
of salting the Minchah offering? What does God want us to learn about adding salt to the grain offering
in the covenant that He has made with us?
Read More here.
