KabbalaOnline.org Vayikra 5783 Chasidic Masters Insights on the Torah Reading

 KabbalaOnline.org Vayikra 5783 Chasidic Masters Insights on the Torah Reading

Giving Yourself

Chasidic Masters

  Beginner

By Binyomin Adilman

The Book of Leviticus, contains some of the most difficult subjects in the Torah. The concept of sacrifices is one that is very foreign to the "modern" mind. There are, however, many essential lessons to use in our divine service.

"Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them, when a person from [amongst] you will offer up a sacrifice to G‑d, from the cattle, herds or flocks should the sacrifice be brought." (Lev. 1:2)

The Midrash, however, interprets the verse to give us a deeply challenging insight. "Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them, when a person from you will offer up a sacrifice to G‑d...." G‑d wants us, not just our sacrifices.

In fact, every sacrifice had to be accompanied by genuine repentance before it was accepted. The priest was able to tell if the person was sincere in his feelings. If not, he would signal to the administering Levites to sing a soul-stirring melody that would arouse the sacrificer to genuine repentance. Only then would the sacrifice be acceptable.

Only when one gives up something of himself does he make a sacrifice that is pleasing to G‑d.

The priest shall burn the entire animal on the altar as a complete fire offering, a pleasing fragrance to G‑d." (Lev. 1:9)

Is it possible that the Torah would have us believe that the stench of burning animal flesh, bones and feathers is a pleasant fragrance? Yet when the offering is brought with the appropriate intentions of humility and teshuva, then, to G‑d the smell is indeed fragrant. What seems offensive to us may indeed be a pleasing fragrance for G‑d.

[Based on Chasidic sources and Kabbala;
first published in B'Ohel Hatzadikim, Vayikra 5760; www.nishmas.org]

By Binyomin Adilman

Binyomin Adilman is the former head of the Nishmas Chayim Yeshivah in Jerusalem. Back issues of his weekly Parsha sheet B’Oholei Tzadikim may be found on www.nishmas.org.

 

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KabbalaOnline.org is a project of Ascent of Safed www.ascentofsafed.com ascent@ascentofsafed.com Free to study all Jewish Scripture: Sefaria Calendar 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 Click: If you have Prayer Requests By Har HaBait Jewish Sovereign for all Israel I pray as a Jew when I bring your prayers.