How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you must not turn any leaven or honey into smoke as an offering by fire to the Lord. You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of choice products, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing odor. (NRSV 2:11-12)
No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire. As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour. (KJV 2:11-12)
Some scholars think that Israel can't burn leaven or honey on the altar because they symbolize death and decay. Others say that Israel can't burn leaven or honey on the altar because they symbolize life and growth. Whatever the symbolism for the altar, Leviticus wants you to know that your generous donations of leaven and honey are totally unwanted.
Quote #2
When you have sinned and realize your guilt, and would restore what you took by robbery or by fraud or the deposit that was committed to you, or the lost thing that you found, or anything else about which you have sworn falsely, you shall repay the principal amount and shall add one-fifth to it. You shall pay it to its owner when you realize your guilt. (NRSV 6:4-5)
Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. (KJV 6:4-5)
Much like Superman is Jewish, Leviticus is the Superman of law codes, standing for truth, justice, and the covenant way. Unlike Superman, though, God doesn't send crooks to jail. Instead, they have to pay back what they stole by trickery or force, along with a 20% penalty.
Quote #3
And the Lord spoke to Aaron: Drink no wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons, when you enter the tent of meeting, that you may not die; it is a statute forever throughout your generations. You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. (NRSV 10:8-10)
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean. (KJV 10:8-10)
The God of the Torah is the founding deity of Gods Against Drunk Offering. Other ancient religions allow priests to have beer in the Tabernacle, but Israelite priests aren't so lucky. Or is the drink offering in Numbers 28:7-10 a thirst-quenching loophole?
More generally, the last part of this selection just so happens to provide the key to how God divides things in Leviticus.