Editing Book of Leviticus (section)

==Summary==
[[File:Book of Leviticus, Mikraot Gdolot, Warsaw edition, 1860, Page 1.jpg|thumb|Vaikro – Book of Leviticus, Warsaw edition, 1860, page 1]]

Chapters 1–5 describe the various sacrifices from the sacrificers' point of view, although the priests are essential for handling the blood. Chapters 6–7 go over much the same ground, but from the point of view of the priest, who, as the one actually carrying out the sacrifice and dividing the "portions", needs to know how to do it. Sacrifices are between God, the priest, and the offers, although in some cases the entire sacrifice is a single portion to God—i.e., burnt to ashes.<ref>Grabbe (2006), p. 208</ref>

Chapters 8–10 describe how [[Moses]] consecrates [[Aaron]] and his sons as the first priests, the first sacrifices, and God's destruction of two of Aaron's sons for ritual offenses. The purpose is to underline the character of altar priesthood (i.e., those priests with power to offer sacrifices to God) as an [[Kohen|Aaronite]] privilege, and the responsibilities and dangers of their position.<ref name="Kugler, Hartin, p.82">Kugler, Hartin, p. 82</ref>

With sacrifice and priesthood established, chapters 11–15 instruct the lay people on purity (or cleanliness). Eating [[Unclean animal|certain animals]] produces uncleanliness, as does [[Childbirth|giving birth]]; certain [[Leprosy|skin diseases]] (but not all) are unclean, as are certain conditions affecting walls and clothing ([[mildew]] and similar conditions); and unusual bodily discharges, including [[Menstruation|female menses]] and [[Nocturnal emission|male emissions]] ([[gonorrhea]]), are unclean. The reasoning behind the food rules are obscure; for the rest the guiding principle seems to be that all these conditions involve a loss of "life force", usually but not always blood.<ref>Kugler, Hartin, pp. 82–83</ref>

Chapter 16 concerns the [[Day of Atonement]] (though that phrase appears first in 23:27). This is the only day on which the High Priest is to enter the holiest part of the sanctuary, the [[holy of holies]]. He is to sacrifice a bull for the sins of the priests, and a goat for the sins of the laypeople. The priest is to send a second goat into the desert to "[[Azazel]]", bearing the sins of the whole people. Azazel's identity is unknown, with some Christian tradition linking him to a fallen angel, older English Bible translations like the [[King James Version]] translating it as "a scapegoat".<ref>Kugler, Hartin, p. 83</ref>

Chapters 17–26 are the [[Holiness code]]. It begins with a prohibition on all unauthorized ritual slaughter of animals, and then prohibits a long list of sexual contacts and also child sacrifice. The "holiness" injunctions which give the code its name begin with the next section: there are penalties for the worship of [[Molech]], consulting mediums and wizards, cursing one's parents and engaging in unlawful sex. Priests receive instruction on mourning rituals and acceptable bodily defects. The punishment for blasphemy is death, and there is the setting of rules for eating sacrifices; there is an explanation of the calendar, and there are rules for sabbatical and [[Jubilee (biblical)|Jubilee]] years; there are rules for oil lamps and bread in the sanctuary; and there are rules for [[The Bible and slavery|slavery]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Leviticus|25|HE}}</ref> The code ends by telling the Israelites they must choose between the law and prosperity on the one hand, or, on the other, horrible punishments, the worst of which will be expulsion from the land.<ref>Kugler, Hartin, pp. 83–84</ref>

Chapter 27 is a disparate and probably late addition telling about persons and things serving as dedication to the Lord and how one can redeem, instead of fulfill, vows.<ref>Kugler, Hartin, p. 84</ref>