Thus says the Lrd: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Neither let the mighty man glory in his might. Let not the rich man glory in his riches.”
“But let him that glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lrd who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things I delight,” says the Lrd. -- Yeremiyahu (Jeremiah) 9:23-23
The Hebrew word for “sacrifice” is korban, which is connected to the word kerov, meaning close. Sin causes a person to be distanced from Gd; sacrifice, the outward sign of tshuvah (repentance), was established with the idea of bringing one closer.
Guilt and sin offerings specifically included the liver and kidneys. Esoterically speaking, the liver is connected with anger and the kidneys with conscience. Many times sin occurs when a person is driven by anger and not listening to his conscience.
The peace-offerings were classified in three categories: thanksgiving-offerings for deliverance from danger or distress, fulfillment of a vow made in a time of distress, and free-will offerings made in remembrance of Gd’s mercies. The offering included an unleavened cake mingled with oil. In this we can see the symbolism of Torah (bread) and Ruach Hakodesh (oil). The union of the two together brings a person to peace with Gd.
The Haphtorah stresses the importance of listening to Hashem’s voice. This is necessary for a person to be close, as he aspires to be through sacrifices. But how does a person do this? How does this work?
The soul of Man has five parts, each emanating from a specific level of heaven:
In our world there are many things that can cause us pain and sorrow. It’s very difficult not to be overwhelmed by circumstances and dominated by our fluctuating emotions. However, we can attain this by training our minds. This means not allowing the animal level of our nefesh to rule, but rather bridling it by listening to our souls’ higher levels. This does not mean “fooling ourselves” or denying or suppressing our emotions. Rather, it is acting in faith. “What is my spirit telling me?” This “listening”, that Hashem challenges Israel to do in through the Prophet Yeremiyahu, is choosing to live in complete trust in Him.
Sacrifices were an outward form of the spiritual sacrifice of one’s will in favor of Gd’s will. The animal sacrifice was symbolic of the laying down of, or dying to, the lower (animal level) self, in favor of the higher Self that is absolutely, unquestionably connected to Gd. It was the outward action that demonstrated the inner resolve to surrender.
I love (Him), for Hashem hears my voice, my supplications. As he has inclined His ear to me, so in my days shall I call. The pains of death encircled me; the confines of the grave have found me; distress and grief I would find. Then I would invoke the Name of Hashem, “Please, Hashem, save my soul.” Gracious is Hashem and righteous, our Gd is merciful.... Please, Hashem, for I am Your servant, I am Your servant, son of Your handmaid; You have released my bonds. To You I will sacrifice a thanksgiving offering, and the Name of Hashem I will invoke.
-- Psalm 116:1-4,16-17
This is the sacrificial voice of praise. In spite of the distress and grief, the psalmist is praising Gd. While he is still pleading for mercy, he is thanking Hashem for releasing him from his bonds, perhaps before even seeing any manifestation of release in the physical world. This is the voice of faith, that no matter how bad things are, there is cause for thanksgiving. No matter how things may look, Hashem sees and knows the whole picture and is truly in control, with loving-kindness and mercy. This kind of prayer requires sacrifice of our emotions, of our imaginations, of our fears. This kind of prayer is silencing the anguished voice of the animal soul and listening for the calm reassurance and consolation of the higher voice. Living in faith cannot be passive. It requires our willingness to engage our own animal natures and surrender in tshuvah with joy.
The rabbis have said that in the days of Mashiach animal sacrifices will have completed their purposes and therefore cease. There will be no more sin. However, the thanksgiving-offering will continue forever. Thanksgiving is the voice of Redemption.
Thus said Hashem: “There will again be heard in this place about which you say, ‘It is destroyed, without man and without animal,’ in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without animal, the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of bride, the sound of people saying, ‘Praise Hashem, Master of Legions, for Hashem is good, for His mercy is forever,’ bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Temple of Hashem; for I will return the captivity of the land as at first,” said Hashem. -- Yeremiyahu 33:11
Shabbat shalom,
Miriam
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