March 20, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Va yikra 5786 (2026)
Leviticus 1:1-5:26; Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Va yikra, the name of the Torah portion refers to calling, as in He called. This is the first Torah portion of the Book of Leviticus. Right here, at the beginning of the text, the important thing to know is who called?
“The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting…” (Lev. 1:1 NIV)
Here begin detailed instructions. These instructions relate to diverse types of offerings. A man cannot be perfect, so the offering needs to be so.
“If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD.” (Lev. 1:3 NIV)
One interesting thing that connects this portion to the New Testament concerns blood.
“This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.” (Lev. 3:17 NIV)
In the New Testament, the apostles instructed the same.
“You are to abstain from…from blood…You will do well to avoid these things.” (Acts 15:29 NIV)
Why is this prohibition continued by the apostles? Bible clearly considers life holy, and life is in the blood. This principle is established later in the Book of Leviticus.
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” (Lev. 17:11-12 NIV)
Isaiah’s Promise
The prophetic word from the Book of Isaiah starts with lamentation for Israel was not bringing the described offering.
“You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.” (Isaiah 43:23 NIV)
God however confirms His choice of Israel.
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 44:1 NIV)
Israel is also promised a glorious future.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.” (Isaiah 44:3-5 NIV)
Holocaust Garden of Hope
If blood was forbidden in the Tanach and the New Testament, it was related to the sanctity of life. The holiness of human life and sanctity of blood was violated in the Holocaust. All the stories of people who perished show how human life had no value in Nazi Germany. Their murder was designed and executed with precision. Silent bystanders gave the murdered the space they needed. In fact, every idea the Bible expresses about man’s worth was extinct in Nazi Germany.
Without knowing the history and being able to understand its placement on a timeline, you, and the youth around you may not comprehend these things. Education is vital to ensure that human dignity and the value of each life is upheld in days ahead. We may think we are immune to hateful propaganda. But there is no such thing. The descent of Germany into propaganda and then murder is a warning sign. What happens in the Western world right now with rising antisemitism is a warning sign.
Come and study what happened!
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
Dr. Susanna Kokkonen received her Ph.D. in Holocaust Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For ten years Dr. Kokkonen was the Director of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. Dr. Kokkonen has authored several books about the Holocaust and antisemitism. She educates Christian audiences worldwide including about the Jewish roots of their faith. Dr. Kokkonen is the author of the exhibits for the Holocaust Garden of Hope and serves the Holocaust Remembrance Association as Educational Advisor.
