Sacrifice of the Heart

This week’s parshah, Vayikra, speaks of the various sacrifices in the Mishkan and the Temple. The sacrifices are varied, and each has its own set of laws.

The first sacrifice mentioned is the korban olah, the burnt offering. That is, the entire animal was set upon the altar and was burnt, with nothing going to the kohanim. The sacrifice is meant to atone for foreign or sinful thoughts—the “thoughts of the heart.”

The second sacrifice mentioned is the Minchah (lit. present). It was brought from flour and oil. As Rashi explains, it was the “poor man’s sacrifice.” The verse states Nefesh (a soul) who brings a sacrifice. Who would bring such a sacrifice? Someone who is poor. HaShem says, “It is as if he sacrificed his very soul!”

The third sacrifice mentioned is the korban Shelamim (peace offering). It was so-called because some parts were placed upon the altar, some parts of the meat went to the kohanim, and the remainder was taken by those who brought the sacrifice. What we call today, “a win-win situation.”

The fourth sacrifice is the Chatat (sin-offering), meant to effect forgiveness for the sinner.

The fifth offering is focused upon several specific sins, mostly those who have caused financial damage to others. This is called the korban oleh v’yored—it speaks of sacrificing cattle or sheep, or offering a lesser offering of birds, and even a grain-based sacrifice. The difference depends upon whether one is wealthy, middle-class or impoverished.

There are other sacrifices mentioned in this parshah which are one-liners and very specific for a certain time and so on.

The upshot of these sacrifices is that people, times and places are varied, and people find themselves in different situations at all times. The main lesson is that we do something for HaShem, not for ourselves. Then, even if we sin and afterwards regret it, we bring HaShem into our varying situations. We call out to Him, we invite others into our circle, we regret our wrongful thoughts and deeds. But the final result is that we return to HaShem!!!

Rebbe Nachman teaches that there are various levels of intellect (Likutey Moharan I, 25). People often dwell in an imaginary life, always thinking of “what can be, what will be,” etc. He teaches that one should elevate himself above the imaginary and rise to intellect. There exists Chokhmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding) and Daat (knowledge). What we instinctively know—Chokhmah—are things we gathered from our youth and stored in our memories (e.g., colors, places, etc.). Binah is understanding what one can do with that wisdom. Daat is the final application of that wisdom and understanding.

The korbanot (sacrifices), as Rebbe Nachman explains, are the process through which we rise above our thoughts and desires (we sacrifice our imaginations) and apply ourselves to recognizing Hashem.

That’s the real sacrifice. Have a great Shabbos.