Final answer:
False. The claim that the Israelites were made righteous by their sacrifices alone is false. Righteousness in ancient Israelite religion was understood as adherence to God's laws and commandments, which involved both sacrifices and moral behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that the Israelites were made righteous by their sacrifices alone, according to the text from Leviticus. In the Hebrew Bible, the purpose of the sacrifices was to atone for specific sins and transgressions, and they were to be offered alongside a god-fearing lifestyle and adherence to the laws given by Yahweh. For the sacrifices to be meaningful and acceptable to God, the person offering the sacrifice had to be sincerely repentant and seek to live a life in accordance with God's laws as outlined in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. This included moral behavior, dietary laws, and the observance of sabbaths and religious festivals.
The understanding of righteousness in the context of ancient Israelite religion involved more than just ritual sacrifice; it encapsulated a broader commitment to live in harmony with the covenant made between the Israelites and Yahweh, which was expressed in both religious rites and ethical conduct. Therefore, while sacrifices were a component of their religious obligations, righteousness was more comprehensively achieved through obedience and faithfulness to God's commands.