Shavuah Tov!!! Wishing everyone a blessed week full of open and revealed good.
This week we begin “The Third Book of Moses, “Vayikra” (Leviticus), in which we learn about the sacrifices that were done in the Sanctuary and later on in the Temples.
“When a person of you brings an offering to G-d…”(Vayikra 1:2)
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch commented in this verse: it is most regrettable that we have no word which really reproduces or can explain the exact meaning of the expression “Korban.”
Usually it’s referred as “sacrifice,” implying to the idea of giving up something very precious to oneself for the benefit of another. But the truth is that “korban,” is never used in the context of a gift. It is used exclusively with reference to man’s relationship with G-d. It really means to get close to H”S. This can be understood from its root “Karov,” which literally means to approach, to come near, and so to come in close relationship.
The person bringing the korban, desires that something of himself should come into close relationship with H”S.
True happiness in life depends on how close we are to G-d. Life’s happiness rises and falls in accordance with our proximity to H”S.
The more we are in tune with fulfilling His will, the closer we will be; the more we are in tune with our own agendas, desires, and egocentric drives, the farther away we will be.
Some excerpts from “Growth Through Torah” by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
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