The third Book of the Torah begins with the five personal and voluntary sacrifices that an individual could bring. The Torah is very specific about where these sacrifices were to be offered (on the Sanctuary’s courtyard altar), that the priest must perform the ritual on behalf of the person bringing the sacrifices, and that restitution or repentance must precede the offering, if applicable.

Our sidra’s sacrifices are: The Olah (Voluntary), Minha (Meal Offering, brought by someone of limited means) Sh’lamim (Thanksgiving or Peace), Hatat (Sin-Offering, for an action committed unwittingly or in error), and Asham (Guilt-Offering, for the unintentional withholding of tithes and donations, or for falsely retaining another’s property)