Weekly Parsha

May Hashem deliver us from this crisis speedily and grant a complete recovery to those who are ill. Wishing you a Chodesh Tov, a Shabbat Shalom UMevorach and a Kosher, Happy and Healthy Pesach!

Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26

The book of Vayikra (Leviticus) primarily deals with what are commonly called "sacrifices" or "offerings."

A SACRIFICE implies giving up something that is of value to oneself for the benefit of another. An OFFERING implies a gift which satisfies the receiver.

The Almighty does not need our gifts. He has no needs or desires. The Hebrew word is korban, which is best translated as a means of bringing oneself into a closer relationship with the Almighty. The offering of korbanot was only for our benefit to come close to the Almighty.

Ramban, one of the essential commentaries on Torah, explains that through the vicarious experience of what happened to the animal korbanot, the transgressor realized the seriousness of his transgression. This aided him in the process of teshuva -- correcting his erring ways.

This week's portion includes the details of various types of korbanot: burnt offering, flour offering (proof that one does not need to offer "blood" to gain atonement), the first grain offering, peace offering, unintentional sin offering (private and communal), guilt (for an intentional sin) offerings -- varied upon one's ability to pay, and an offering for personal use of something designated or belonging to the Tabernacle or the Temple.

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"Every meal offering that you offer to the Almighty do not make it chometz (leavened); for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, in any offering of the Almighty made by fire. With all your offerings you shall offer salt" (Leviticus 2:11-13).

Yeast and honey were not permitted in the offering on the altar. Yeast makes the dough rise higher, but it is an external additive. Honey makes things taste sweet, but it is also an external additive. Salt, on the other hand, brings out the flavor of the food, but only the flavor that is already there. This, says Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, symbolizes a basic principle in spiritual matters.

When serving the Almighty you should follow the model of salt. That is, utilize all the abilities and talents that you have to serve Him. Do not be like yeast that causes distortion of what is there. Do not be like honey that is very sweet, but is something borrowed from the outside. Be yourself, but make every effort to be all that you can be.

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The Torah gives instructions for offering various types of flour offerings prepared in different manners:

"And if you bring near a flour offering baked in the oven ... and if your offering is a flour offering baked in a pan ... and if your offering is a flour offering baked in a pot..." (Leviticus 2:4,5,7).

What is the deeper meaning behind each of these different offerings?

The Mincha, flour offering, expresses our appreciation to the Almighty for our happiness in life. Minchat solet, the fine flour offering, has many forms of preparations to focus us on appreciating from the basic necessities of life to the wonderful "extras" with which we have been blessed.

The offerings are baked in an oven, a pan and a pot corresponding to bread, cake and specially prepared dishes.

Bread (ma'afeh tanur) is ordinary food, a necessity for happy daily life.

Cake (machavat) signifies the extra enjoyment, the historically unusual condition of luxury.

The specially prepared dish (marcheset) is for a special occasion, the temporary, passing moment of a unique joy.

Our lesson: You know how much you can bring to HaShem. Focus our mind and soul to appreciate each and every thing in our lives as a gift from the Almighty, Who loves us and cares for us! 

Coronavirus: Ask your Rabbi how can you support him and the community. With the current economic crisis many families will need more assistance than usual. So please donate generously. I'm sure G-d will bless and protect you all with good health and properous Parnassah at this time!

One thing you can't recycle is wasted money!

Fear is a reaction.
Courage is a decision.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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Stand united against the coronavirus

May Hashem deliver us from this crisis speedily and grant a complete recovery to those who are ill, Amen!

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"Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring an offering of the Almighty" (Exodus 35:5).

Those who bring the offerings should bring their hearts with their offering. It is not sufficient just to give a monetary donation. The Almighty wants our hearts, that is our thoughts and our emotions.

When you just give money to our institution, you help the cause for which you are giving. However, when you give with your heart, you are changing and elevating yourself as a person. Each donation makes you into a more giving person. Whenever you give, reflect before you give and then give with a full heart!