Biblical Parallels Index – Parashat Vayikra/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Parashat Vayikra

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Overview

This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event or law, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.

Two Discussions of Sacrifices

(Vayikra 1-5) introduces the sacrificial service, discussing each of the five types of offerings, the Olah (burnt offering), Minchah (flour offering), Shelamim (peace offering), Chattat (sin offering), and Asham (guilt offering), at length. Parashat Tzav (Vayikra 6-7) then discusses these same exact sacrifices yet again. What is the relationship between these two sets of chapters?How are the differences between the two to be explained?

Tools

• To compare the linguistic parallels between the two sets of chapters, see the Tanakh Lab.

Primary Sources

• See Ramban who notes that Parashat Vayikra emphasizes the nation's role in the sacrificial process, while Parashat Tzav focuses on the priest and his responsibilities.
• HaKetav VeHaKabbalahVayikra 6:2About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg notes that while Parashat Vayikra focuses on the opening stages regarding the preparation of the sacrifice, while Parashat Tzav revolves around the final stage, the allocation and consumption of the offering.
• R. D"Z HoffmannVayikra IntroductionAbout R. David Zvi Hoffmann suggests that the unique features and unexpected additions or omissions in Parashat Tzav stem from their connection, not to Parashat Vayikra, but to Shemot 29 and its discussion of the Days of Consecration.

Articles

• See Relationship Between Vayikra 1-5 and 6-7 for discussion of why it is necessary to include two distinct units regarding the sacrifices and how to account for the unique aspects of each. The article surveys and analyzes various commentators' approaches to the questions.  Many exegetes assume that the two units are meant to complement each other, with Ramban noting that each is being addressed to a different audience and HaKetav VeHaKabbalah suggesting that each describes a distinct stage in the sacrificial process. R. D"Z Hoffmann, in contrast uniquely suggests that Parashat Tzav does not come to complement the laws of Parashat Vayikra, but rather those regarding the Days of Consecration discussed in Shemot 29.
• See R"M Spiegelman, "פרשת צו - בין פרשת צו לפרשת ויקרא", and R"Y Grossman, "שתי רשימות הקורבנות"  who each develop the approach of Ramban which focuses on the fact that each unit appears to be addressed to a different group. While the laws of Vayikra 1-5 are aimed at the nation, those who bring the sacrifice, those of Vayikra 6-7 are aimed at the priest.
• See R"E Samet, "התורה לעלה למנחה ולחטאת ולמילואים ולזבח השלמים - מתי נאמרה?" in עיונים בפרשת השבוע (Jerusalem, 2001):19-40, זמנן ומקומן של שתי רשימות הקורבנות by R"Y Grossman,¹ and חוקי הקרבנות - פרשת וירקא לעומת פרשת צו, by B. Kehat, who all develop the approach of R. D"Z Hoffmann which focuses on the relationship between Parashat Tzav and the Consecration ceremony.

¹ Among other things, he adds that the reason for the bringing of sacrifices during the Ceremony of Consecration (described in Shemot 29 and Parashat Tzav) was to invite the Divine presence into the Mikdash.  The reason for the sacrifices of Vayikra 1-5, in contrast, is for a human to forge a relationship with God, either to atone for sin, or to get close to the Divine.