Parasha Vayikra marks the beginning of the accounting of the Levitical responsibilities within the Mishkan. Much of what follows concerns the sacrificial system of Israel. On a transactional level, these rituals may seem like ancient practices with little relevance to the modern world. However, when viewed relationally, they teach a profound lesson on unity and shared responsibility in faith.
Our journey will take us through the Torah, the teachings of our sages, and the fulfillment of these principles in the Messiah, Yeshua. We begin with a powerful insight from Vayikra :
“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem … you shall bring your offering.” (Leviticus 1:2)
The verse begins in the singular but shifts to the plural. Why? Because one person’s act of devotion impacts the entire community—and even the world.
One for All and All for One
The sages in Tractate Kiddushin teach that fulfilling even a single mitzvah tips the scale toward merit for the entire world. When one person brings an offering, they draw not only Israel but all of humanity closer to Hashem.(Kiddushin 40a21)
Once a year, the Cohen Gadol would bring a single sacrifice on behalf of the entire nation (Leviticus 16). Yeshua came not only as our Cohen Gadol but also as the ultimate sacrifice—not just for Israel, but for the world. This teaches us that our actions, no matter how small, have far-reaching consequences. We are interconnected, and our spiritual commitments resonate beyond ourselves.
Living the Mitzvah of Messiah
In the Brit Chadasha (the Renewed Covenant), we are called to fulfill the law of Moshiach—to love one another as He has loved us. But how do we do this? By dying to self-centeredness and embracing responsibility for one another. When we come to the altar of Yeshua, we do not come for ourselves alone.
Let’s explore this concept through the words of Rav Sha’ul in his letter to the congregation in Galatia (Galatians 6:2-5):
We are encouraged to restore those who have fallen into sinful or destructive behavior (Galatians 6:1). To do this, we must create a safe and compassionate environment. We should avoid harsh language and quick, sweeping judgments. Tough love should never be an excuse to vent personal frustrations.
The Greek term katartizete (καταρτίζετε) is often used in a medical sense, meaning to repair or set a broken bone. If we can see others as broken yet valuable people, we can focus on helping them heal.
Furthermore, we are called to carry one another’s burdens—not by enabling irresponsibility, but by offering help when life’s demands become overwhelming. This reflects the life and teachings of Yeshua, who carried our burdens up Calvary Hill, forsaking His own self-interest for the sake of others. We are therefore instructed to adopt His attitude: though equal with Hashem, He humbled Himself for the sake of humanity (Philippians 2:6-7). Pride should never keep us from bearing one another’s burdens.
The Balance of Responsibility
Pride is a major obstacle to truly empathetic action. Unhealthy comparisons with others can also be detrimental—an attitude of superiority can make us indifferent, while deep-seated feelings of inferiority can make us stagnant. Some may ask, “How can I help others when I feel so useless?” Yet each person has an important role in Hashem’s greater plan.
This is why each person must also carry their own load. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but the Greek clarifies the distinction. Galatians 6:2 uses the word barē (βάρη), meaning a heavy burden, while Galatians 6:5 uses phortion (φορτίον), referring to a personal pack. The goal of the Law of Moshiach is for each person to grow into a healthy, contributing part of the whole.
A Call to Action
Ultimately, we cannot exist as isolated believers—we are a collective body responsible for one another’s well-being. Just as a single offering impacts the world and just as Yeshua’s sacrifice was for all, our acts of love and service have eternal significance.
Let us commit to living the Mitzvah of Messiah—bearing one another’s burdens while growing into responsible, faith-filled individuals.