Vayikra/Leviticus

This weeks Torah potion of Vayikra deals in great detail with sacrifices. Korbanot. The concept of making a sacrifice to bring us closer to G-d is definitely an interesting idea. It is hard to imagine how killing an innocent creature created itself by G_d, is a way to show our devotion.

As taught to us in Vayikra, great care was taken to choose an unblemished animal, the finest and most complete of living beings, and then it was killed. Killed, in order to bring us closer to the G-d of the Universe.

The argument is made that we are asked to make these sacrifices in order to obtain this nearness to G-d. There are some very specific instructions, ripping off the limbs, pinch off the heads, dash blood against the alter. This reads like something out of a bad horror movie. How can defiling these animals possibly bring us towards their Creator?

I don’t have an answer to this, just like I personally don’t even understand the eating of meat. In Bereishit (2:19) we are told that Adam was given the responsibility for the animals, and yet as humans, our main use for them is consumption.

Although the majority of humanity are still onmivores, there are nonetheless many others who choose to refrain from eating animal flesh. Luckily, we are no longer required to dash anyones blood around an alter. This raises a difficult question for me personally.

As Jews, we are living in a time of no Temple, no Miskan, no sacrifices.

For us as Jews, this is a time of mourning where we cannot fulfil all of the mitzvoth because without a temple ,we have no way of doing so.

And I am happy.

I am happy because I do not want to have to sacrifice the life of any living being to show my devotion to G-d. I don’t want to believe that the only way I can serve G-d is by killing and dismembering animals to sacrifice on G-d’s alter of devotion.

Instead, I choose to bring myself closer through prayer, conscious thought and action. Through kindness and education. Maybe working and living my life as a calling to serve G-d, is it’s own kind of daily sacrifice?

I will work on my compassion, try and advance generosity, have a listening ear and an open heart. I will soak up the sorrow and doubts of those around me and with the pure soul I receive back every morning, I will begin a new day and do the same again.

All, in the service of G-d.

And that, is how I will sacrifice.

That, is how I will become closer to G-d.

Choose compassion and kindness, think of others in your actions and prayers. Sacrifice your time for the benefit of others.

Find your own korbanot.

We are fortunate to live in a time when we can choose our sacrifices and how we are going to become closer to G-d.

Let us choose well.

Shabbat Shalom.