Leviticus: The Center of the Old Testament

Leviticus: The Center of the Old Testament

Many people, with good intentions, set out to read the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Genesis they find interesting; Exodus becomes a little more complicated, and detailed, especially near the end. By the time they get to Leviticus boredom sets in. They sink into a swamp of laws on sacrifice and purity. Then they decide that maybe this year is not the best of time to read straight through the Bible. So they stop. They then resolve to read the whole Bible next year. Their ship of good intentions crashes on the rocks of Leviticus. This attitude may be alll right for a lay person, the average Christian or Jew. But for the ministers and scholars, for real students of the Bible, Leviticus must be studied and understood. Traditional Jewish institutions of Children has recognized the importance of Leviticus. Leviticus is the first book traditional Jewish children study. Jews recognize its importance, and so do I. Let me quote a saying: "He who does not understand Leviticus cannot understand the Hebrew Bible." I have about 40 minutes to demonstrate and emphasize the importance of the book.