We are at the center of Leviticus.

If you've been following along, you've been reading the Torah with us from Genesis to Numbers,

the first five books of the Bible.

And today, we happen to be at the center of the second movement of Leviticus, which is at the center of Leviticus,

which is the center of the Torah.

This chapter is in the section that's at the center of the center of the center of the Torah.

We know we're close to the heartbeat of the message of the Torah when we enter into the tent on the day of Atonement.

This chapter is not in the middle by chance.

The day of Atonement is something to pay attention to.

It is the solution to a problem that we have encountered many times.

That God wants to work with humans, to bless and rule the world, but we're not up to the task.

In fact, in this section, God has chosen priests, set them apart, to act on behalf of Israel,

who He sets apart, to act on behalf of all humanity.

And what are these priests do?

They bring death right into the center of the Tabernacle.

When death has been introduced into the very heart of the tent, which is the source of all life,

we need to deal with the problem there.

Not just out there in the camp.

We need to deal with the pollution that's taking place in the tent, and that's what the day of Atonement is all about.

The day of Atonement or Yom Kupur happens one time a year.

The high priest first makes a sacrifice for his own sins,

and then casts lots for the fate of two goats.

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