Clean vs. unclean  

The next few chapters of Leviticus focus on what is clean vs. what is unclean. I wish I knew exactly what this means. It's not good vs. evil; in fact there are somethings we are commanded to do (have sex and have kids) that make us unclean. I suppose it's things to us like not eating something from the floor and not peeing on the floor and washing our hands (washing is often one command in the process of becoming clean). Of course we have a bit more of a scientific basis but I'm sure they weren't any less confident in their standards. Here are some of the clean vs. unclean categories here in the middle of Leviticus:

Some animals are clean to eat and some are unclean and shouldn't be eaten (also their dead bodies are not clean to touch).
Having a kid makes a woman unclean.
Skin diseases make us unclean, and we need to be quarantined while we have the disease.
Moldy clothes are unclean.
Moldy houses are unclean.
Bodily discharges and sexual bodily discharges are unclean.

God tells them they need to stay as clean as possible. Becoming clean often involves washing yourself, waiting a period of time, and sometimes offering a sacrifice.

God, through Moses, gives Aaron specific instructions on how to do a once-a-year total atonement sacrifice for the nation of Israel's sins. Emphasis is put on not sacrificing somewhere besides the tabernacle (the implication being not to sacrifice to anyone but God) and not eating blood (here it is explained that this is where the life of a creature really is).

Response

Mainly I'm observing that the now formal relationship between God and Israel is serious business and he has high standards for them, not only to be moral and good but to stand out and be ceremonially clean. Other than that there's not much "special" in this passage. The next reading (blog hopefully coming this evening) should be interesting because it's more moral and has some death penalties involved. Thanks for reading!