Vayikra

In this week's torah portion, we learn about a variety of Karbanot-sacrificial offerings for service in the Mishkan as commanded to Moshe by G-d. Through bringing a sacrifice, a person begins a journey to draw himself close to G-d. Within each person is a spark of G-d coupled with his animal nature. The spark of G-d contained within him has a potential which is infinite and unbounded, like G‑d Himself. The animal nature, however, is a part of his personality which is concerned with taking care of its physical needs including eating, drinking, sleeping, and doing anything else that will make him satisfied. These two powers must communicate to create a harmonious balance. It would be a terrible waste if instead of adding something to the world and bettering it, a person did nothing but gratify his own wants and desires. Meshing these two paths together ensures that our spiritual experience will not be otherworldly, and that our physical experience is permeated with the depth contributed by our spiritual awareness. The sacrifice in itself was a process of growth, in which a person elevated the animal inside of himself, and taught it to look upward and appreciate a higher purpose. In the moment the flames of G‑dly fire miraculously descended upon the alter, our efforts were paralleled by G-d's to add the fire of spirituality into our everyday material experience. During these confusing times of unrest and anxiety, we must look up and recognize that higher power. It is in these times that we recognize a situation which is truly and completely out of our hands. It is precisely now when we must realize that the only salvation will come from above. As we go about our days without the distracting pace of our everyday lives, take an extra moment to realize who is in charge and rely wholesomely on G-d to turn the situation around. Our efforts will go a long way to bring the Final Redemption with the coming of Moshiach.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Shmuel Posner