Categories of Sinners

The second half of Parshat Vayikra discusses the various individuals who might sin and the process of atonement for each one.

There are different categories of sinners, and each one is obliged to offer a different type of sin offering to atone for their sin. The first situation applies to the common man who inadvertently violates a commandment that carries with it the punishment of Karet, such as violating Shabbat, eating forbidden fats, or eating blood. He brings a female goat or female sheep as his sin offering.

The other categories describe the case of the anointed Kohein Hagadol who might sin. There is also the category of “Nassi,” where it refers to an accidental sin by the king.

The final category is known as פר העלם דבר של ציבור. This refers to a bull that is offered when the majority transgress because the Sanhedrin rendered an incorrect decision. The High Court only realized their mistake after the Torah law had been violated. Instead of each individual offering his own sacrifice, this one bull serves to atone for the entire congregation.

We see that sacrifices played an important role in Jewish life during the time of the Temple. Prayer has taken on a greater role of importance in the absence of a Beit Hamikdash. The Rabbis said this clearly with the words, תפילה במקום קרבן, “Prayer takes the place of sacrifices.”