Summary: Avital Hochstein. Most of Sefer VaYikra details the obligations of the Kohanim, Aharon and his Sons as well as Moshe and other members of the tribe of Levi, to maintain the Holy service and be responsible for all of its implements. We would expect that the Kohanim would continue to bear this responsibility, and be charged with the public areas as well. However, our parashah clearly teaches that the responsibility for public areas devolves on everyone, not just those who are deemed to be public servants. There is in fact, a mutual dependence between the leadership, the people’s representatives, and the community, that is the people themselves, in maintaining the public domain and its character.
