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 Torah Thoughts
This week we read the Torah portion
of Tzav (Leviticus 6 - 8).
This portion continues from last week and deals with various aspects of
sacrifices.
Chapter 7 verse 37 summarizes the various types of sacrifices that have just
been dealt with. It states "This is the law (Torah) of the elevation
offering, the meal offering, the sin offering etc."
The Talmud (Tractate Menachot 110a) expounds on the use of the word
"Torah" in relation to the laws of the sacrifices. It states that
when Jews are unable to bring sacrifices- the study of those parts of the
Torah relating to the sacrifices actually substitutes for the sacrifice
itself.
This is a very puzzling assertion. The famed Maharal (Rabbi Loewe of Prague, 17th cent.)
comments that this concept does not apply to any other commandment. One can
study the laws relating to a Sukkah (a 'booth' dwelt in during the festival
of Sukkot) for days and still not fulfill the requirement of dwelling in a
Sukkah! What is so unique about the concept of sacrifices that permits the
study of their laws to be viewed as a fulfillment of the Mitzvah?
As discussed in last week's JLE e-news, the sacrifice represents the human
dedicating the base, animalistic part of his nature to Divine service, hence
the Hebrew word for sacrifice- "Korban", meaning 'coming closer'
(to G-d). The sacrifices thus remove the barriers created by sin (man denying
his G-dly soul and living by his animal instincts).
Study of the Torah in general, and specifically those parts relating to
the sacrifices, brings home the message that humans have the power to channel
the vital animal force within, towards greater spiritual goals. (By way of a
metaphor- the human should be taking the dog for a walk, not vice versa) Indeed,
our sages tell us that only those who connect themselves to the Torah's
teachings are truly free.
As we approach the festival of Pesach, the season of our liberation from
bondage, we must remember that the ultimate slavery is servitude to our own
animal instincts and true freedom is the ability to rise above them and turn
the physical world into a worthy container for spirituality.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
Technical
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