Intention

I am extremely tired, so while this may be brief, I would be remiss if I did not write at least something on the third and fourth aliyot of Tzav, which I just read.

There is so much richness buried in this parasha, but what caught my attention today is VaYikra 7:18 - an odd gem buried in the technicalities and rules of the korbanot - this time regarding intention.  We actually do not explicitly see the Torah talk about intention much -- if ever -- and so in its genius it, of course, comes as no surprise that the importance of intention is hidden in plain sight here.  Specifically, to kick off a discussion of "rejected" korbanot, the Torah states that if the kohen even thinks about eating, or intends to eat, a peace-offering on the third day, which is after its prescribed time for eating, the entire eating is rejected and anyone who eats it must "bear its iniquity."  Even if the outside mechanics of the entire korban service are correct -- and, by the way, this parasha continues to add detail and detail about what must be done, adding to the layers and layers of richness and complexity which accompany this holy work -- if anything is off about the intention, then the entire service is invalid.

How often are we actually doing things with the correct and true intention?  And if not, why not?  This reminds me of one of my favorite teachings of all time about the aron ha'kodesh - the holy ark - that it must be covered both on the outside and on the inside -- the latter being a part of the aron that no one will ever, ever see -- in pure gold.  We must be golden on the outside (our actions) and on the inside (our intention) -- otherwise, as this parasha somewhat frighteningly but also realistically and honestly comes to tell us -- the entire thing is worthless.