Last night and today I began reading the Book of VaYikra (Leviticus). I approach it with some trepidation - also called Sefer HaKohanim - Book of the Kohanim (Priests) - it contains long sections regarding sacrifices, kohanic laws, and other rites of the mishkan. What can I say - I'm nervous! Unlike in other sections, even the end of Shemot which describes the mishkan in detail, I've always been able to relate whereas with sacrifices, I am not as sure.
Perhaps reading VaYikra is the closest we may come to prayer when studying Torah. The words are still hypnotizing and flowing, beautiful and vast, detailed and all-encompassing - but there is more of a sense of obligation than relatable enjoyment. It is like saying the same prayer for the ten thousandth time - will I still find meaning in it?
What is clear from the first few aliyot of this first parasha is that the sacrifices - whether cattle, goat/sheep, bird, or meal (flour and oil, with frankincense) - are supposed to be symbolize much more than just a rite, or something (tesuvah/return/atonement) being done in place of something else (wrongdoing). One gets the sense that they symbolize a true offering of a portion of one's soul to H' - perhaps this is why, in contrast to VaYikra 1:1, in VaYikra 2:5, a person (referred to as an adam in the former, in the verses regarding a cattle sacrifices) is referred to as a nefesh (soul, in the latter, referred to as someone bringing a meal offering). It is the soul bringing a piece of itself, to be utilized and reunited, quite literally - sent up in smoke and inhaled into G-d's "Nostrils" creating a pleasing aroma - with its Creator. As G-d breathes life into each human through their nostrils, infusing the body with the soul, a sacrifice is the return, quite literally, of at least a piece of it to its direct Source.
To me, it is a careful reminder of how to think about sacrifices (including, but not limited to, the meal sacrifice) and also about studying the Book of VaYikra in general - to bring my whole soul and offer it up in the service of Torah study of this seemingly more "difficult" book - because, as we all know, the greater the search, the more honorable the reward.
Comments
Post a Comment