THE PENTATEUCH: Leviticus The Book of Leviticus continues the narrative of Exodus, in which God instructs Moses in the creation of a comprehensive code of conduct for the future nation of Israel. Its principal focus, however, is different. Leviticus (a title derived from the original Latin translation of the Pentateuch, known as the Vulgate) can perhaps best be described as a Torat Kohanim, a Manual for Priests. The Book provides instructions on a number of issues related to purity in daily life, but deals in great detail with the worship of YAHWEH. This includes purification rituals as well as the preparation and execution of the ritual sacrifice of animals, which will later become a central element of the worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Mount Sinai

One of the best known sections, Leviticus 17 to 26, is referred to as "the Holiness code," because of the frequent use of the term kadosh, "holy." The section begins with God's instructions pertaining to sacrificial worship to insure that they are followed to the letter. When the two sons of Moses' brother Aaron bring an offering that YAHWEH considers 'unholy', the Lord sets an example by killing the two men with a burst of fire from heaven. However, Leviticus is not solely concerned with priestly laws and conduct. It also issues a number of ethical prescriptions, respect for parents, charity for the poor, prohibitions against stealing and lying, a reminder to pay an employee's wages on time, the moral obligation not to take advantage of the deaf or blind, honesty and fairness in justice, and the preciousness of life. Referring to the pagan practice of child sacrifice to divinities like Baal (that would persist in Israel until the Babylonian Captivity), Leviticus warns that "you should not let any of your offspring pass through the fire to Molech" (Levi. 18:21). Moreover, says Leviticus, "you will love your neighbor as yourself" (Levi. 19:18) — a sentence that will reverberate in Christianity.