Definition: And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 4:15. It’s a pretty unusual and significant part of Jewish tradition about animals. Here's an explanation in simple terms: What it means: This verse describes a ritual sacrifice – essentially, a killing of an animal to atone for a serious sin. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD” : This tells us that the leaders of the community (the elders) are actively involved in this act. They're performing a specific, solemn ceremony. "Laying their hands upon the head" means they’re touching the animal’s head with their hands. “and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD” : This is the core of it all. The animal is to be killed – not just treated kindly, but completely and decisively . The word "before the Lord" emphasizes that this isn't a casual kill; it’s a sacred act performed with reverence and in the presence of God. What was happening? Historically, this practice was part of a system designed to cleanse a person of a serious sin, often involving betrayal or violence. The elders would touch the animal's head, symbolically representing the cleansing of the offender. The act of killing the animal was seen as a way for God to “punish” the person and ensure they were truly repentant and free from that sin. Important Context: This practice happened repeatedly throughout Jewish history. It wasn't just one event; it became ingrained in religious law. It’s considered a very serious act, reflecting deep faith and commitment to divine justice. Why is it important? This passage highlights several key ideas: Divine Justice: God is actively involved in resolving problems and punishing wrongdoing. Sacrifice & Atonement: It’s a way for humanity to offer up a sacrifice of guilt and remorse to God, seeking forgiveness. Faith & Obedience: It demonstrates the importance of following religious laws and demonstrating faith – that is, truly believing in something. In short, this verse describes a ritualistic killing as a means of atonement for a serious sin. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on general biblical understanding. Would you like me to: Explain another part of Leviticus? Discuss the symbolism behind this practice? Compare it to other rituals in Jewish tradition?