By Gabe Katzman

So here's the situation. Last week we wrapped up Exodus and the Tabernacle. Vayikra is now the first in Leviticus.

There's a brand new tabernacle, so now all the Israelites give offerings. This week's portion will provide a description of the various sacrifices – animal, fowl, and meal-offerings – offered by the priests in this newly constructed Sanctuary.

God instructs the Jews to add salt to every animal sacrifice or meal offering, a symbol of our everlasting "salt covenant" with God.

So here we get to the offerings:

The "Peace Offering":

Could be brought from cattle, sheep, or goats.

"Sin Offering"

Brought by an individual who is guilty of inadvertently transgressing a sin.

"Guilt Offering"

Three types are discussed:

a) an offering brought by one who inadvertently misappropriates Temple property.

b) an offering brought by one who falsely swears regarding money owed to another.

c) an offering brought by a person who is uncertain whether he violated a Torah prohibition.

So that's the portion. Here's what it means to me:

So often in Habonim, we are working to build something together, whether it's a tzevet identity, a tochnit, a movement identity, etc. The most integral part of what we can do to help is to give our offerings. By "offering" I am referring to what can we do to help the construction.

Now, according to the parshot, last week was building and this week is offering to the now completed project. I disagree, however, that building and offering should be separate. We should offer as a precursor to building and continue throughout the process.

When we make decisions in Habonim Dror, we shouldn't remove ourselves completely and only offer to the movement. That is destructive. We need to envision ourselves as members to the movement, so that when we are offering to the movement, we are also offering to ourselves.

Also, that salt thing is pretty important. Pickles are a necessity at every meal. But not bread and butter. Those aren't pickles. Dill, full sour, spicy, etc. The good ones. Yeah. Every meal with those. Excuse me. I'm going to go eat some pickles.