This week we begin the third and most difficult of the Five Books of Moshe, “Vayikra” (He called).
This book talks about the many sacrifices that were done in the Mishkan and later in the two Temples.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch comments on the verse:”When a person of you brings an offering to G-d…”(Vayikra 1:2).
Rabbi Hirsch explains that there is no right translation for the word “Korban” (sacrifice). When we talk about sacrifice we feel we are giving something up for the benefit of the other. Also the underlying idea of “offering” makes it by no means an adequate expression for “korban.”
The idea behind the “korban” is never used as a gift or offering, or giving something up. This word “korban” is only used with our relationship with H”S and it’s meaning can only be understood from the root word “karov,” which means to approach, to come near, and so to come into close relationship with H”S.
The one who brings the “korban” desires that something of himself should come into a close relationship to G-d.
When we understand that all problems of life solve themselves when we are close to H”S, happiness in life rises and falls in accordance with the proximity or distance from H”S.
So Parashah “Vayikra” begins teaching us this fundamental truth. H”S calls on us out of affection. His only agenda is for us to want to be close to him. It’s by giving of ourselves that we are able to achieve this closeness.
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