Matot begins with oath decrees, and then describes the revenge that God commands to take over the Midianites. “Take full vengeance for the sons of Israel on the Midianites; afterward you will be gatherd to your people.”Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian (Num 31:2-3).^[1]

Sadly, “The theme of rebellion against God runs like a thread through the Torah and much of the Bible.”[1] Num 11 presents the next episode of such a rebellion.

The vow of a Nazirite has a great message, “Any of God’s people could choose to be special!”^[1]

Num 6:2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the LORD…”^[2]

Can a human be holy? Today, most probably, the expectable answer would be “no.” Why then the Lord required to be holy? Maybe it is not as impossible as we are used to think? If it was totally impossible, Vayikra would not instruct us,

Is it sin to give birth to a child?

The question which titles this article might sound weird, however some readers of the Bible believe that it is the case because Lev 12:6 reads,

The Weekly Torah portion Vayikra is mostly worshipper-oriented, whereas Tzav instructs priests who offered sacrifices, serving in the tabernacle. The priest is described as a person who guided the process of sacrificial activity.

Vayikra informs us about two types of sacrifices (voluntary and mandatory). Tzav in its turn describes two types of priestly functions.

The book of Leviticus gets its name from a Latin word which in its turn is derived from Greek Λευιτικόν thus connecting the content of the book with the tribe of Levi. In Hebrew tradition the book is called Vayikra from the opening Hebrew word וַיִּקְרָא – “and He called.”

Although וַיִּקְרָא is found hundreds of times in the Tanakh, the phrase וַיִּקְרָ֧א אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֛ה – “and He called to Moses” is used only two times in the biblical text.

The main theme of this Weekly Torah portion is people’s offerings and construction of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle, its utensils, and the priestly ministry graphically illustrated the way of blessing and peace.

And the most important thing that one can see by studying the Tabernacle, and later - the Temple, is the character of God.