Tzav 5772

This week’s parsha continues with the laws concerning sacrifices, including the Korban Todah, the thanksgiving offering. Rashi explains that the Korban Todah was made voluntarily when a person experienced one of the following miraculous salvations: crossing a sea; crossing a desert; being released from prison; healing from illness.  With the exception of the Korban Todah, all of the second-tier sacrifices could be eaten for two days and one night. “The flesh of his thanksgiving offering shall be eaten on the day it is offered up; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.”

What is the connection between the Todah’s single-day consumption and the fact that it is brought to show appreciation for experiencing a miracle?

To answer, first we must understand the purpose of miracles – why G-d makes them and what we are supposed to learn from experiencing them. HaRav Moshe Reiss suggests that miracles are like cardiac defibrillators. Writes Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann on torah.org: “After they [defibrillators] accomplish their task, all they have done is given the heart a one-time jolt back into reality; from there on in, the heart must regain its ability to function independent of external stimulation.”

The function of a miracle is a wake-up call. It is, so to speak, the defibrillator of the soul. Writes Rabbi Hoffmann: “Sometimes we take things for granted; we forget to be grateful for life’s daily miracles. When we experience something extraordinary, we are shocked; we experience extreme gratefulness and appreciation. The point [says the Imrei Emes] is not simply to remember that amazing event; the point is to integrate that appreciation into our daily lives.”

The Imrei Emes explains that the Korban Todah is only eaten for one day to remind us not to dwell on the miracle too long, for each day contains its own miracles and wonders. Writes Rabbi Hoffmann: “The function of the human body, with its countless millions of chemical reactions and electrical stimuli occurring each and every second completely unbeknownst to us, is a miracle of untold and unexplored proportions.”  By experiencing a miraculous salvation, we have seen how precious life is, but we should not over-think this one-time experience. Instead, we should use it as an impetus to appreciating all of life’s myriad miracles.

Becoming a parent is a miracle, as are the many milestones children reach. What goes on in between, from moment to moment, also is nothing short of miraculous. May we learn to appreciate the countless miracles of daily life, and never need a “defibrillator” for our souls.

Excerpted from an article by Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann. Read the article in its entirety at: http://torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5763/tzav.html

Vayikra 5772

This week we begin the third book of Torah, Vayikra, known in English as Leviticus. The parsha begins: "[Vayikra] And He called to Moshe, and the L-rd spoke to him…"

Usually when G-d speaks to Moshe in Torah, the text says "G-d spoke to Moshe, saying…" Why does G-d here call to Moshe before addressing him?

Writes Rashi: "Calling is a language of affection, the language that the ministering angels use, as it says 'one called to the other and said…'" Rashi then notes that when G-d communicates with prophets of the other nations of the world, He uses "language of transitoriness and impurity." He gives the example of Bilam: [Vayikar Elokim] G-d "happened upon" Bilam. (Bamidbar/Numbers 23:4)

Rabbi Abba Wagensberg cites on aish.com the explanation of the commentator Shem MiShmuel: for Bilam, communicating with G-d is just something that "happens", in other words, just another event in Bilam's life. Writes Rabbi Wagensberg: "Speaking with G-d did not change Bilam or move him to grow in any way…he was not willing to change any aspect of his lifestyle."

According to Rabbi Wagensberg, "The point of Torah is to make a difference and spur us to growth. Surface knowledge that doesn't make a difference in our lives is almost worthless. The true value of Torah is revealed when we allow it to penetrate, and when we use that wisdom to change our lives."

G-d calls to Moshe to teach him the laws concerning the sacrifices. The Hebrew word for sacrifices, korbanot, shares a root with the Hebrew word karov, near. This teaches that the purpose of sacrifice is to grow closer to G-d.

Write Rabbi Yisroel and Rabbi Osher Anshel Jungreis: "Teaching Torah must always be preceded by a call that is an expression of love, concern and closeness. Only when such a relationship has been formed, only when such bonding takes place, can the Torah teacher have a positive impact on his disciples."

As parents, we must convey G-d's words with love, warmth and kindness. Only then will our children be able to absorb the teaching and make it a permanent part of their lives.