KabbalaOnline.org "Light Your Fire" [Vayikra 5783]

 KabbalaOnline.org "Light Your Fire" [Vayikra 5783]

ASCENT OF SAFED, P. O. BOX 296, SAFED 13102, email: director@ascentofsafed.com The week of VAYIKRA 5783 The merit from the learning of this Torah teaching is dedicated to YAEL & SHAUL שי' Much success and good news. This is one of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s classic talks, turning what might have seemed like an arcane subject into a powerful means of serving G-d. The original text is in Yiddish in Likutei Sichot, volume one, page 205. It was translated into Hebrew and condensed by Mrs. Tzirel Livnoni in Shulchan Shabbat. It still thrills me each time I read it. Our Torah portion, Vayikra, is the first portion of the third book of the Torah, also called Vayikra. Most of the book is about sacrificial offerings. When the holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, there were offerings given on the altar. They served as a method of coming closer to G-d. Obviously, when we wish to have this closeness, we will want to avoid any transgressions against G-d’s will. Today there is no Temple and we are unable to make the offerings. Nevertheless, the essential concept of the offering is eternal and therefore is still in force for us in the here and now.  In order to understand the true significance of the offerings, let us take an objective look at them on a rudimentary level. Let’s start with the word for “offering” in Hebrew - korban. Korban is from the word kiruv , to come closer. The word korban express a process of increasing closeness between man and G-d.  On the simplest level, the commandment of bringing offerings is telling us that there is an obligation for man to try to come closer to the Almighty. How do you offer a korban? You take an animal, carefully check that there are no blemishes, ritually slaughter it, remove its blood, and then burn it (or certain parts) on the altar. All of these ways of serving G-d also exist in the soul-spirit dimension. Taking the animal: It is incumbent on us to take the animal that is in us, our animal/vivifying soul, our material inclinations and bring them closer to G-d.  In simple terms, we have to find a way to harness our animal strengths to serve the Divine. Checking for blemishes: The greatest danger facing a person on this path is fooling oneself. Poor judgement of who we are and what our strengths are. This poor judgement can lead to failure. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly check oneself that there are no ‘blemishes’. Every part of our persona is scrutinized so that nothing is blocking our efforts to come closer to G-d. Ritual slaughtering: The purpose of ritual slaughtering is to take out the blood, the animal life force. While all the organs remain intact, still, after the ritual slaughtering there is no life. This is the way that a person is supposed to come closer to G-d. We do not stop eating, drinking, working, or other normal human activities. Everything should stay as it was, only that we are supposed to take out the blood, the life force, the animal passion. We have to start doing everything for the sake of Heaven, for G-d’s sake, for the sake of the Divine service, and not for the sake of our personal desires. The fire and the altar: The spiritual altar is each person’s heart. The burning fire is the fire of the natural love that exists in every Jew towards G-d. In the heart of each Jew is a burning fire of love to the Creator. The problem is that we are not always conscious of it. A person’s purpose is to create this inner fire and use it to burn our physical desires in order that we should instead be permeated with love of G-d. These are the type of offerings - korbanot - that not only are we able to bring, but we must bring them because the spiritual dimension of the service of the offerings is eternal in every time and every place. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One day, after morning prayers, Rebbe Chaim Meir Yehiel of Mogelnitza called one of his followers and asked him why he does not pray with the community but walks about restlessly. The chasid replied that when everyone is about to pray, he does not feel ready to stand before the Creator in prayer, and he is waiting for the awakening that will come to him from Heaven. The Rebbe replied, "The Sages fixed the prayers instead of the constant sacrifices. The sacrifices were consumed on the altar by fire that came down from Heaven. The Sages said that 'even though the fire comes down from Heaven, it is a mitzvah [good deed] to arouse this fire from man’.” “We learn from this that one should not expect fire to come down from Heaven, but that every Jew should have his own fire within him, and with that he should pray.” [Sichat HaShavua #1211] Shabbat Shalom, Shaul. ASCENT'S PESACH CAMPAIGN IS ACTIVE!! Bring joy and Pesach necessities to so many, Your gift will be DOUBLED to buy 4 kilos of matzah accompanied with necessary food and programs. https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/95919 Blessing you and yours with a kosher, happy and healthy Passover   “THERE IS ONLY ONE TEST!” Rabbi Shaul Leiter’s popular class on the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov from Keter Shem Tov Monday, March 27, 2023 Israel 8PM/ UK 6PM/ NY 1PM/ LA 10AM  Please use the following link: https://ascent-co-il.zoom.us/j/81906073996?pwd=ZUk4SlR6N1kvUldIUUh0WTB1VVNUQT09 Meeting ID: 819 0607 3996 Passcode: 068582 Find your local number:  https://ascent-co-il.zoom.us/u/kd1BQirK3D

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Our Prayer and hope: All the gates to the Har ha-Bait have to be opened for Jews and non-Jews seven days in the week 24 hours a day. The Jews need to have the freedom to go with Tefillin, Tallit and Torah Scroll up on the Mountain to serve Hashem. And do קידה ('Kidah' prostate, laying down, before Hashem) Everyone showing his/her respect for the Jewish and all other religions. But NOT for the words/deeds/sins spoken against any word of the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu and the 'real' teachings of the Jewish Rabbis. The Jews must be the guardians of the Har ha-Bait.	תפילתנו ותקוותנו: כל שערי הר הבית צריכים להיפתח עבור יהודים ולא-יהודים שבעה ימים בשבוע 24 שעות ביממה. ליהודים צריך להיות חופש ללכת עם תפילין, טלית וספר תורה במעלה ההר כדי לשרת את ה' ולקוד קידה .מתוך הפגנת כבוד ליהודים ולכל הדתות האחרות, אבל לא למילים/למעשים/לחטאים הנאמרים נגד תורת משה רבנו. מלמודי רבנים, היהודים חייבים להיות שומרי הר הבית.
Let's pray for a death sentence for the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Hezbollah and for the continuation of the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Authority, Hamas and Hezbollah must disappear. Enough of the hatred from the world (the USA, the European Union, and the UN!) against the Jewish people.	בואו נתפלל לגזר דין מוות לרשות הפלסטינית, חמאס, חיזבאללה ולהתיישבות יהודית ביהודה ושומרון. הרשות הפלסטינית, חמאס וחיזבאללה חייבים להעלם. די לשנאה מהעולם (ארה"ב, האיחוד האירופי והאו"ם!) נגד העם היהודי!
The Jews have the mission to change the Har HaBait, from her situation now, into a Prayer House for all peoples based on the Torah Law of Moshe Rabbeinu.	על היהודים מוטלת המשימה לשנות את הר הבית, ממצבו הקיים, לבית תפילה לכל העמים על פי חוק התורה של משה רבנו.
Ariel, hopefully your Representee	אריאל, מקווה שהנציג שלך

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