Mechanism: Vayikra

Or when he will touch a human’s impurity– for any impurity of his through which he will become impure…

Leviticus 5:3

How does society address individuals’ misdeeds? Is there any written code to get them back into the fold? “No” is the answer in modernity. In antiquity, however, a written code existed; it was promulgated in the Torah’s Book of Leviticus.

Is there some utility is having a written code to address matters of sin and impurity? Absent such a written code, society still acts to address these misdeeds. Without the formalized code, in modernity mythological dictates contrived by public relations specialists exist to provide pathways to and arcs of redemption. Ultimately, public consensus executes judgment.

In contrast, Leviticus’ written code established strict guidelines for addressing misdeeds. Sacrifice was the mechanism to deal with sin.

Vayikra

The Torah Portion Vayikra in Leviticus introduces sacrifice as the means for addressing sin within Israelite culture. The enigmatic guidelines address sin on multiple levels. Social-standing even played a role in determining the nature of the sacrifice. Additionally, Vayikra addressed aspects of sin relating to particular conduct.

Bulls, goats, and lambs were designated as sacrificial animals. In accordance with an individual’s status, a particular type of animal was to be sacrificed. Leviticus 4.

The individual’s magnitude, not surprisingly, came into play with respect to quality of the beef. For instance, for a priest, a bull was indicated. See Leviticus 4:3. Beyond status, group sin also existed. The Congregation of Israel- as a whole- were designated as a specific class.

Vayikra’s social status designations included the classes of priests, chieftans, and a person from the people of the land.

In Leviticus‘ Chapter 5, a variety of acts were addressed in terms of sin and impurity. Touching any impure thing was problem requiring sacrifice. Impure items included certain animal carcasses. Leviticus 5: 2-3.

While this sacrificial system is so foreign to modern sensibilities, secular societies presently retain their own sin cleansing process. Given this fact, having a mechanism to address sin might be a mandatory requirement for civilization.

To appreciate how sin and impurity impacts society in present times, one need only look into the Epstein Files’ scandal. They reveal how matters of sin and impurity are taken quite seriously. Even within a secular context, these matters remain problematic.

The Epstein Files

In 2008, in Florida, Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of charges of procuring a minor for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. Despite the conviction, he remained active in business and social activities. His engagement with the rich, famous and political continued. It did so up to the point when he was indicted on Federal sex trafficking charges in 2019. While awaiting prosecution, he died in prison. His suspicious death was ruled a suicide.

As a result of the criminal prosecution, the Federal Bureau of Investigation amassed a large amount of data from Epstein. Correspondence and photographs exist between him and many rich, famous or well-known individuals.

A number of these individuals engaged in contact with him after his 2008 conviction. Thus, some individuals knowingly interacted with someone of questionable morals. Further, there are questions as to whether individuals were involved in Epstein’s nefarious activities.

With the files being released, many people are under scrutiny. Fingers have been pointed at a wide range of individuals. They include former International Economic Leaders, a former President, Prime Ministers, Business Tycoons, Princes, Politicians, Corporate Officers and Staff, Intellectuals, and Entertainers.

In the end, contact with Epstein for these morphed into contact with human impurity. Contact with him- no matter how big or small- is akin to the touching a dead impure carcass. Epstein contact has tainted individuals. As a result, they, themselves, have become impure. This contact in modernity is quite different than antiquity, however. Pressing the flesh can now be achieved by selfie photos and email exchanges.

The Public’s View of the Epstein Scandal

Society’s Epstein obsession in part is based upon fear. Some people believe that the rich and powerful associated with Epstein will skate criminal prosecution. Justice will never be meted out.

While some of the associated did not do anything criminal, their Epstein association forever taints them. They stink like a rotting corpse; they are viewed as impure to society. Without some personal cleansing, they not only taint themselves, but they also taint their entire nation.

Thus, people push that societal justice be imposed for the sake of restoring their nation’s sense of purity. They are determined to either right the wrong or right the perceived wrong.

This amplified public pressure has prompted action. Either voluntarily or through compulsion, many of those Epstein associated have been sacrificed or engaged in penance. For example, a NFL Team owner has transferred his ownership to his children. Also, a distinguished school administrator has resigned. A Prince has been stripped of his title. And, a brash billionaire apologized to one of his organizations.

There are some who may have a beef with this mythical means of addressing sin. Without clear guidelines, some individuals were likely scapegoated as a result of their Epstein taint. Others are slaughtered like sheep to rapidly excise the impurity from their institution. One could argue that the mechanism of sacrifice exists; human sacrifice.

Conclusion

Humanity’s obsession with sin and impurity is perhaps central to civilization. For the Israelites, the Torah’s Book of Leviticus spelled out their mechanism for addressing sin and impurity via sacrifice. While sacrifice as mechanism is archaic and obsolete, it was a definitive mechanism with specifics. In contrast, modernity’s seemingly voracious pursuit to address sin and impurity demands a pound of flesh. This compulsion has morphed into human sacrifice. Someone needs do lose their job; someone needs to be socially ostracized.

Public opinion plays a large role due to the lack of confidence in the criminal justice system. The nation’s quest to clean impurity and remove sin is the wild west. Unpublished and mythological rules act as the mechanisms to address sin and impurity. Tactics to avoid greater punishment include apologies, resignations, and checking into rehabilitation for substance abuse or healthy issues.

With the Epstein Files, people either engaged in self-sacrifice-i.e. voluntarily taking action to publicly acknowledge their perceived misdeeds- or they were sacrificed by others, i.e. via termination or dismissal.

Thus, society requires some method to address national sin and impurity. Some mechanism must be in place. The implication of this is that society existentially demands that unclean and impure public figures evade a cleansing procedure. There is a collective understanding that no nation can survive with public moral decline.

Modern society, however, does not have the benefit of a priest and the Torah’s rules and regulations for addressing matters of sin and impurity. Given the system’s utility, there is some appreciation that some wished to maintain it. The reality is that this sacrificial system does not fall in line the present. Thus, alternative ways in addressing public sin and impurity required development.

Presently, there is the desire to address public sin and impurity and it is done in impromptu fashion. Rather, those subject to sin or impurity must navigate out of their way out with a public relations sherpa. Inevitably what works to clean up the sin and impurity is subject to the public’s opinion. Improper moves can be disastrous and result in a blood bath. With a poorly sought out plan, one’s ego can get slaughtered. In attempting to right the wrong, society apparently wants a pound a flesh. Yes, a human sacrifice of sorts is necessary clean up matters in a modern society.

Be well!!

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