Parashat Vayikra, the first portion of the book of Leviticus, emphasizes that offering a sacrifice is not a pagan ritual but a way for individuals to draw closer to God. The act of offering a sacrifice is meant to be a personal and heartfelt experience, with the word 'korban' meaning 'closeness.' The person offering the sacrifice is meant to reflect on their spiritual state and return to God with a broken and humble heart. The act of placing an animal on the altar creates a great closeness between the individual and God. The Torah requires both intentional and unintentional sinners to bring offerings, as the unintentional transgressor's actions reveal their inner state and focus on worldly desires.