Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

Download print

Parashat Vayikra: Remembering Adam’s Sin

Parashat Vayikra deals with the laws of the sacrifices, which a person would bring during the times of the Bet Ha’mikdash to atone for certain transgressions. The Torah begins this discussion by speaking of "a person…who offers a sacrifice" – "Adam Ki Yakrib…Korban." Interestingly, the Torah chooses the word "Adam" in referring to somebody who brings a sacrifice, and the Rabbis comment that this term was chosen to allude to the first person who committed a sin – Adam Ha’rishon. When a person sins and seeks atonement, he is told to reflect on the sin of the ancestor of all people, Adam.

Why should a person seeking atonement think about Adam Ha’rishon? What message from the story of Adam is particularly relevant to a person in this situation?

The explanation, perhaps, is that a person who sins must recognize the gravity and profound effects of his actions. Adam Ha’rishon committed a seemingly minor infraction – eating a fruit from a tree which G-d had designated as forbidden. We might have dismissed his act as a more or less innocent mistake, which although cannot be justified, can nevertheless be excused. But as a result of this "innocent mistake," G-d decreed death upon all mankind, and forever more we have to work to earn a livelihood rather than enjoy the blessings of Gan Eden. We cannot even imagine all the sorrow, anguish and aggravation that was brought to the world because Adam ate a fruit from the forbidden tree. The lesson of the story of Adam is that violating G-d’s word has severe repercussions. When a person commits a mistake and seeks to atone for his wrongdoing, he needs to be mindful of this reality. He cannot cavalierly dismiss his action as just a benign oversight and think that it’s "no big deal." He is told to remember Adam’s sin, and to realize that it is a very big deal.

The entire notion of Korbanot (sacrifices) is that a person is able to rectify his mistakes and rebuild his relationship with G-d after it has been strained by sin. Overall, the message of this section of the Torah is an optimistic and upbeat one, assuring us that just as parents continue loving and caring for our children even when they misbehave, G-d continues loving and caring for us even after we sin. However, part of this process of rectification is remembering the message of Adam, and recognizing that sin is a very serious matter that could have grave repercussions. Only once we acknowledge the severity of sin can we then humbly approach G-d to beg for forgiveness and repair the strained relationship.


Related Parasha
Parashat Vayikra- The Triple Sin of Dishonesty - 2023 Year
Shabbat Zachor: Celebrating the Belief in Providence - 2022 Year
Pesah: Reexperiencing Spiritual Redemption - 2021 Year
Parashat VaYikra- Hard Work is Good - 2020 Year
Purim: Correcting the Mistake of the Jews of Shushan - 2019 Year
Parashat Vayikra- The Danger of a Scholar Who Lacks Manners - 2018 Year
Parashat Vayikra: The Joy of Misvot - 2017 Year
The Special Joy of Purim - 2016 Year
Parashat Vayikra: The Small Alef - 2014 Year
Parashat Vayikra: “An Animal Carcass is Better Than Him” - 2013 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Vayikra / Rosh Hodesh Nissan - 2012 Year
Parashat Vayikra: Making Sacrifices for Our Children - 2012 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Vayikra - 2011 Year
Parashat Vayikra- Positive Peer Pressure - 2011 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Vayikra - 2011 Year
Sefer/Parasha:
Parashat Tesaveh- The Struggle Against Lashon Ha'ra
Parashat Teruma- The Mishkan and Self-Esteem
Parashat Mishpatim- The Power and Danger of Speech
Parashat Yitro- Honoring Parents and Para Aduma
Prashat Beshalah- Better Through the Desert Than Through the Land of the Pelishtim
Parashat Bo- 'Nitpicking'
Parashat Vaera- "The Redeemer of Israel"
Parashat Shemot- The Bricks and the Cement
Parashat Vayehi- "May God Make You Like Efrayim and Menashe"
Parashat Vayigash- Yosef's "Rebuke" to His Brothers
Prashat Miketz- Relying on One's Own Efforts
Parashat Vayeshev- The Patriarchs and the Misva of Honoring Parents
Parashat Vayishlah- Optical Illusions
Parashat Vayese- Rachel's Jealousy
Parashat Toledot- The Sin of Denial
1002 Parashot found