The Book of Leviticus

 

Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Instructions about the sacrificial offering of animals:
"Put your hand on the animal's head
as a sign that you are asking forgiveness.
Never eat blood".
Remember these instructions whenever you offer
a holocaust, an oblation, a sacrifice for sin, a sacrifice for reparation,
and when you take part in an investiture or communion".		  

Chapter 8, 9, 10

Moses followed God's instructions
and ordained Aaron and his sons as priests.
Moses washed them, put special clothing on them,
anointed their heads with chrism
and offered a special animal sacrifice on their behalf.
Then Aaron lifted up his hands towards the people
and blessed them.
A  flame from the Lord consumed the offering on the altar.
The people shouted for joy and fell on their knees.
But later on when two of Aaron's sons offered unauthorized incense
a fire from the Lord consumed them, after which Moses said
"God expects the highest standard from priests".
 

Chapter 11, 12

The people were  told which animals were "clean"
and which were "unclean".
Only "clean" animals were allowed to be eaten.
Regulations were also made for when a woman had a baby:
a lamb or two turtledoves or two young pigeons
were to be offered as a prayer for mother and baby.

  

Chapter 13, 14, 15

Instructions for hygiene:
People with skin diseases, suspected leprosy, boils and burns
should be carefully examined and isolated if necessary.
The clothing and homes of people with leprosy
should be put out of use.
During and after seminal or illness discharges and menstruation,
people  should show extra concern for hygiene

 

Chapter 16, 17

Instructions for the annual Day of Atonement:
once a year Aaron or his successor must wear special vestments
and enter the sanctuary  past the veil.
Then he is to offer two goats to pray for atonement
for the whole community of Israel.
One goat will be sacrificed in the Temple;
the other is to be set free to go out into the desert -
a symbol of the people's sins being carried away.

 

Chapter 18

Instructions connected with marriage:
Do not marry a close relative.
Do not have sex during time of menstruation.
Do not practise sodomy. 
Do not have sex with an animal.
People who do these hateful things
must be removed from the community
 		 

Chapter 19

God's words through Moses:
"Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Honor your father and mother.
The Sabbath must be a holy day.
When you collect from harvest or vine,
leave something for the poor and the stranger.
Be just, honest and truthful in your relationships.
Do not let hatred live in your heart". 		 

Chapter 20

People should be put to death
- for child sacrifice
- for cursing parents
- for unlawful sex between men and woman
- for sodomy
- for sex with an animal
- for being a necromancer or magician
 		 

Chapter 21,  22, 23

God's words through Moses:
"Regard the priests as holy, for they offer holy sacrifice.
Keep the sacred festivals:
- every Sabbath
- the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread
- the First Sheaf
- the Feast of Weeks
- the first day of the seventh month
- the Day of Atonement
- the Feast of Tabernacles". 		 

 

Chapter 24, 25

God's words through Moses:
"Every seventh year your land is to have a rest,
a sabbath for the Lord.
Every fifty years will be a Year of Jubilee:
no sowing, no harvesting, a time for freeing slaves".

 

Chapter 26, 27

God's words through Moses:
"If you  keep my commandments
I will bless you in every way:
- you will have rain at the right time
- the earth shall give its produce
- your land will know peace
- you will be fruitful and multiply
- I will be in your midst: I will be your God
and you shall be my people.
But if you ignore my words and break my commandments
- your will have no peace
- there will be no rain
- the earth shall not yield its produce
- sickness and pestilence will afflict you
- you will be scattered among the nations".