Abstract
Personal Sacrifices
Personal sacrifices in the Jewish religion refer to the rituals and sacrifices that Jews used to offer in the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) before its destruction. These sacrifices were part of worship and atonement for sins, and they are divided into several types according to their purpose. Here are some of the main types:
Burnt Offering (Olah): This was offered entirely to the Lord, where the animal was completely burned on the altar.- It symbolizes complete devotion to the Lord and repentance to Him. It was brought by anyone who wanted to draw near to God and enjoy His satisfaction. It is mentioned in the book of Leviticus: (Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, If any man of you bring an offering to the Lord from the cattle; then from the herd, and from the flock you shall bring your offerings. If your offering is a burnt offering from the herd; then a male without blemish shall he offer it at the door of the tent of meeting, he shall present it that he may be accepted before the Lord)) (Leviticus 1:1-9). It is also mentioned in the book of Kings: ((For example, when Solomon ascended the throne after his father, he offered to God in one day a thousand burnt offerings, and the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; because it is the great high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar)) (Kings, 3, 4).
Peace Offering (Shelamim): This was offered as an expression of thanksgiving or a vow. A portion of it was eaten by the person who offered it, a portion by the priest, and the last portion was burned on the altar. It was brought by anyone who wanted to thank the Lord for a kindness He had bestowed upon him, or who wanted to offer him a supererogatory offering (i.e., a voluntary sacrifice), to show sincerity to Him and the desire to be devoted to honoring Him. It is mentioned in the book of Leviticus: (If your offering is a peace offering; if he offers it from the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord... and if your offering is from the cattle, a peace offering to the Lord, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish. And if he offers his offering from the sheep, he shall present it before the Lord) (Leviticus 3:1-5, 7:11-21). At the dedication of the temple, King Solomon wanted to express his gratitude to God, so he offered peace offerings numbering twenty-two thousand cattle and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep (Kings, 8, 63).