This portion concludes the Book of Leviticus. The Holiness Code ends with a promise and a curse. If the Israelites follow God’s laws and commandments, they will be blessed with peace, prosperity and security. If they do not obey, however, a long list of the most dire consequences will ensue. The final chapter of Leviticus deals with providing funding for the Mishkan. Offerings may be made in silver equivalent to the value of a person, and a scale of equivalents is provided. Offerings may also be made in the form of animals and property. Finally provision is made for tithes. Thus, the entire description of the sanctuary, its functioning and the type of life it is supposed to engender in the Israelites concludes with the establishment of a pattern of generosity toward our places of worship which continues down to our own time and becomes a basic element of community life wherever Jews settle.
